Norovirus On Current FOS ?

[ziggypup]

If NBC had reported the norovirus than more than likely it's Bush's fault!:D

 

I wouldn't go so far as to single him out, but if you were to say it is the Republicans fault I would agree. :)

[marci22]

Anybody know how long the virius remains "alive" on a stationary object such as a door handle or something of that nature. Or is it not alive until it comes in contact with a human body and then gets activated.

 

Ziggy you have to click on the link to the cdc site. It is viable for a good while. Also, the person continues to shed virus for 2-3 weeks after 'recovery'. Just a bad thing to have in an enclosed environment.

 

**Noroviruses are relatively resistant to environmental challenge: they are able to survive freezing, temperatures as high as 60°C, and have even been associated with illness after being steamed in shellfish. Moreover, noroviruses can survive in up to 10 ppm chlorine, well in excess of levels routinely present in public water systems.

 

**Among the 232 outbreaks of norovirus illness reported to CDC from July 1997 to June 2000, 57% were foodborne, 16% were due to person-to-person spread, and 3% were waterborne; in 23% of outbreaks, the cause of transmission was not determined. In this study, common settings for outbreaks include restaurants and catered meals (36%), nursing homes (23%), schools (13%), and vacation settings or cruise ships (10%).

[grand isle joe]

I wouldn't go so far as to single him out, but if you were to say it is the Republicans fault I would agree. :)

 

 

NO NO NO I got it from Kieth Olberman and Chris Matthews(tingle up my leg) it definatly WAS Bush's fault. And they also said Cheney has a Norovirus machine!:D:D:D

[ziggypup]

Ziggy you have to click on the link to the cdc site. It is viable for a good while. Also, the person continues to shed virus for 2-3 weeks after 'recovery'. Just a bad thing to have in an enclosed environment.

 

**Noroviruses are relatively resistant to environmental challenge: they are able to survive freezing, temperatures as high as 60°C, and have even been associated with illness after being steamed in shellfish. Moreover, noroviruses can survive in up to 10 ppm chlorine, well in excess of levels routinely present in public water systems.

 

**Among the 232 outbreaks of norovirus illness reported to CDC from July 1997 to June 2000, 57% were foodborne, 16% were due to person-to-person spread, and 3% were waterborne; in 23% of outbreaks, the cause of transmission was not determined. In this study, common settings for outbreaks include restaurants and catered meals (36%), nursing homes (23%), schools (13%), and vacation settings or cruise ships (10%).

 

Interesting. Thanks

[polyfan]

Could someone that has posted that they were on this sailing list the cabin numbers they were in or the deck number? We will be sailing on Sunday.

[shaggyofwv]

NO NO NO I got it from Kieth Olberman and Chris Matthews(tingle up my leg) it definatly WAS Bush's fault. And they also said Cheney has a Norovirus machine!:D:D:D

 

 

The sad thing is that those two msnbc idiots would probably really try to propagate something like that.

[CruiseSlacker]

Could someone that has posted that they were on this sailing list the cabin numbers they were in or the deck number? We will be sailing on Sunday.

 

 

Front Interior Deck 6 cabins above the Pharoah's Palace. According to my cabin attentant, nobody got sick.

 

Happy Cruising.

[allamricn]

This CDC quote is totally irrelevant! The question isn't how you treat someone that has the virus (yes, antibiotics don't work just like they don't work against the common cold) its how you prevent yourself (and others) from catching the virus. My daughter is a doctor working in a Pediatric ICU and she makes me use Purelle whenever I come over to see her new baby. She's worried about the baby getting the Respitory Syndrome VIRUS. There are also dispensers in all the hospital rooms I've seen at the University of Chicago Hospital. I guess they missed your memo? The sanitizer in these dispensers is not an antibiotic, its just an alchohol solution (e.g. Purelle) to try and remove any material that could hold the virus.

 

I agree that washing your hand throughly is still the best solution, but 3000 people aren't going to wash just before going into the Windjammer and then remember not to use the banisters on the stairs or grab the door handle handle on leaving the bathroom. The sanitizers are clearly some help and to eliminate them as a cost savings is just silly.

 

Cost savings? I agree... does it help? Well, just did some quick research and it stated that chlorine-based cleansers can kill it, alcohol-based sanitizers don't do a whole lot because the virus's cell membranes won't break down from it. While I am sure every little bit helps, don't let yourself be fooled into thinking that because your daughter is a doc and that hospitals have dispensers all over that it will protect you against THIS VIRUS. I am sure she insists because of ALL things that could come into contact with the little one.

 

The CDC quote isn't irrelevant. And if they removed them moreso because it doesn't help with THIS VIRUS, then I can't necessarily say that they did something negligent.

 

BTW, check this out if you want a good explanation of what I am talking about:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=10057805&postcount=61

[grand isle joe]

The sad thing is that those two msnbc idiots would probably really try to propagate something like that.

 

 

Agreed and God bless West Virginia.:)

[castle701]

A little scary that people are already sick and its only Monday --- hope the number doesn't climb too high by the end of the week~~~ our cruise starts Sunday and this whole issue is upsetting ---

[GXmanDC]

This CDC quote is totally irrelevant! The question isn't how you treat someone that has the virus (yes, antibiotics don't work just like they don't work against the common cold) its how you prevent yourself (and others) from catching the virus. My daughter is a doctor working in a Pediatric ICU and she makes me use Purelle whenever I come over to see her new baby. She's worried about the baby getting the Respitory Syndrome VIRUS. There are also dispensers in all the hospital rooms I've seen at the University of Chicago Hospital. I guess they missed your memo? The sanitizer in these dispensers is not an antibiotic, its just an alchohol solution (e.g. Purelle) to try and remove any material that could hold the virus.

 

I agree that washing your hand throughly is still the best solution, but 3000 people aren't going to wash just before going into the Windjammer and then remember not to use the banisters on the stairs or grab the door handle handle on leaving the bathroom. The sanitizers are clearly some help and to eliminate them as a cost savings is just silly.

 

The "Purelle" dispensers are still not good enough, nor are the wipes. Do you know how many people catch bacterial and viral infections while they are IN the hospital because the doctors and staff are not washing their hands? In my doctor's office there is a sign in the restroom that specifically says "There is no substitute for washing your hands."

 

My favorite scene from my first cruise was told to me by a tablemate at dinner. In the restroom she witnessed a cleaning lady chase after a passenger becasue she did not wash her hands before she left the restroom.

[NYCRUISR]

Yes, its going around on land as well. Just seems to make the news when its on a cruise ship.

 

Absolutely.

 

Some years ago when I worked for a large firm, where I was taking particular notice of "stomach Virus" call outs. When the bug is in town........in gets around. Not long ago I witnessed ( and was included) in watching the bug infect all of us in one group within a week.

 

Now, while on ships I use my knuckle for the elevator buttons, keep my hands off the hand rails and keep a little bottle of Purell in my pocket. Knock on wood..... it's working.

[hibiscusgirl05]

I wrote a 15 page research paper last year on norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships for my Masters in Public Health program.

 

Norovirus is the most common cause of non-bacterial GI outbreaks. It's seen everywhere, especially in long-term care facilities, schools, and other places where there are lots of people in close quarters for extended lengths of time. It's a nasty and short-lived bug. Well known and documented that it occurs on some cruise ships.

 

The CDC has a Vessel Sanitation Program that does surveillance on outbreaks on cruise ships. It also does cruise ship inspections. These are all posted online.

http://cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/default.htm VSP

http://cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/surv/surv.htm Outbreak Surveillance

 

Cruise lines are also required to develop an Outbreak Prevention and Response Plan.

 

The easiest way to prevent norovirus is by washing your hands. Washing your hands properly is rarely done - warm water, soap, and for at least 20 seconds. 20 seconds is longer than you think. When you can't wash your hands, alcohol based hand sanitizers can be used as long as they are at least 62% alcohol.

 

References for this statement:

Beers MH, Berkow R, eds. The Merck Manual. 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999:289-290.

Jenkins P, Greene S, Davis JP, et al. Norovirus activity – United States, 2006-2007. MMWR 2007;56(33):842-6.

 

And taken directly from my research paper:

The main problem with norovirus is that it is highly infectious and also environmentally stable to a certain degree. Norovirus rapidly spreads because it only requires a low dose to infect someone, usually fewer than 100 particles, and it can stick on environmental surfaces. It can survive freezing and temperatures up to 60°C, steaming in shellfish, and up to 10 parts per million chlorine, which is the amount usually found in drinking water levels. Inadequate hand washing or aerosolization of vomit can contaminate surrounding objects.

Bottom line: norovirus happens. Wash your hands. :D

[marksfamilyof4]

I am on the FOS starting 4-12-09; Do we know if people on the ship that just sailed yesterday have already been ill? How do we get that information?

[rian90]

There is a lot of controversy regarding anti-bacterial soaps and hand sanitizers. My friend who is an infectious disease specialist here in Florida believes that anti-bacterial cleaners actually cause bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the cleaners and to antibiotics in general. He uses Purell, which is an alcohol based sanitizer and says that does help. I have noticed that many hospitals and doctor offices also use alcohol based hand cleaners rather than anti-bacterial.

 

I will leave it to you to google this to read the various discussions. I am sure the pharmaceutical companies make a lot of money off this stuff. :)

 

I try to avoid them..and my family is very healthy. My kids are rarely sick and when they do need antibiotics, they work very well. I think my kids have had them once or twice so far in their lives. My doctor is very careful about prescribing and I am grateful to him.

[Guggie]

I knew someone who knew their stuff would eventually post on here. Hibiscusgirl05 is dead on accurate. I am a board certified internist, adviser to our local health department, and assistant professor at our local university medical school. The amount of misinformation mentioned by various posters in this thread is astounding. Wash your hands (adequate soap and water and ethanol based hand gels are fine) and keep you hands away from your mouth like mothers used to say to their kids. I've had noro infection that I caught from my son (but not from my patients). Not fun.

 

Some relevant tidbits:

 

Did you know that the CDC issued a recommendation that all health care workers use alcohol based hand gels INSTEAD of soap and water to cleanup after seeing each patient, unless there is visible soiling etc. In that case, soap and water is advised.

 

Norovirus is shed from the human GI tract for days to weeks after infection (and even by asymptomatic persons). We don't know whether virus shed after weeks is still infective though.

 

Chlorine DOES kill the virus. It need to be a more concentrated solution than you use for potable water supplies. The solution that RCL is using for environmental disinfection is presumably adequate.

 

People with type O blood are more susceptible to norovirus infection.

 

My sailing on FOS leaves April 26th and I'm looking forward to the trip.

BTW, I have type O blood. :p

[hibiscusgirl05]

Guggie brings up a good point. A few studies have linked norovirus susceptibility to blood type and genetic strain. One strain of norovirus makes people with type O blood highly susceptible, while people with type B blood are significantly associated with protection from infection.

 

Norovirus: Technical Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006. (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-factsheet.htm.)

 

Rockx BH, Vennema H, Hoebe CJ, Duizer E, Koopmans MP. Association of histo-blood group antigens and susceptibility to norovirus infections. J Infect Dis 2005;191(5):749-754.

 

 

I have type B blood :D

[missbogota]

I hope it is gone by April 19th!!!!!!:D:D:D

[Vacationer40]

Our cabin was located on Deck 8, Aft near elevators & internet cafe. Aside from our norovirus episode, the cabin was in a fantastic location. Luckily we were still able to view the ports while suffering.

[a-tx-brit]

Our cabin was located on Deck 8, Aft near elevators & internet cafe. Aside from our norovirus episode, the cabin was in a fantastic location. Luckily we were still able to view the ports while suffering.

 

You won't see much from the bathroom!!

[don24]

we were also on 8th floor rear ,there was a large consentration there .the virus popped up fast people sick by second day .there was many more than a couple hundred sick .i understand the need for precautions but by day two of purrell ****s chasing people around ,being served in the wind jammer by the dancers from the show,finding orange bags with biological sign on them in hallways we started to really hate this ship.we sailed on her 6 months ago and loved it.the moment we got on we could fell the despair in the crew ,i commented to wife the first night how worn down crew looked no smiles ,no happyness.i think this outbreak had its start with the just under 1000 children runnig amok but thats for another thread:(

[marci22]

I knew someone who knew their stuff would eventually post on here. Hibiscusgirl05 is dead on accurate. I am a board certified internist, adviser to our local health department, and assistant professor at our local university medical school. The amount of misinformation mentioned by various posters in this thread is astounding. Wash your hands (adequate soap and water and ethanol based hand gels are fine) and keep you hands away from your mouth like mothers used to say to their kids. I've had noro infection that I caught from my son (but not from my patients). Not fun.

 

Some relevant tidbits:

 

Did you know that the CDC issued a recommendation that all health care workers use alcohol based hand gels INSTEAD of soap and water to cleanup after seeing each patient, unless there is visible soiling etc. In that case, soap and water is advised.

 

Norovirus is shed from the human GI tract for days to weeks after infection (and even by asymptomatic persons). We don't know whether virus shed after weeks is still infective though.

 

Chlorine DOES kill the virus. It need to be a more concentrated solution than you use for potable water supplies. The solution that RCL is using for environmental disinfection is presumably adequate.

 

People with type O blood are more susceptible to norovirus infection.

 

 

Posters are mainly debating hand washing over hand sanitizers, a frequently recurring discussion here. Hib girl had a nice post but it is full of info that can readily be found on the cdc website, posted many posts ago.

 

Personally, when a health care worker comes in to examine me or my children, I expect to see hand washing, not a swipe of Purell.

[cubbielover]

We too just got off the FOS and were not affected by the illness. We talked to the crew and they stated 80 people were confirmed sick and 4 crew members were sick. They quarantined the sick people for 48 hours and their family for 24 hours. Our stateroom attendant made a comment that he was proud his station did not have any sick people at all. The crew did a great job of enforcing the hand sanitizer and hand wipes.

[diver323]

We are sailing 4/12/09 hopefully she will be ship shape!

[CruiseSlacker]

I was on the FOS last week. I certainly did not know how easy one come down with it. I washed my hands and used liquid gel, as instructed. But certainly was not too worry about it...until I read about in on this board. Otherwise I would be not have enjoyed the cruise. I think on the fourth day, after seeing the crew scrubbiing the deck chairs and wipping all the ship surface, I went to the guest relations desk. I asked one of the ladies behind the desk how many people got sick. She said nobody got sick and the crew was just taking a precaution. It was not really what she said, but the way she said it. She really dismissed my question and made me felt like why I bothered her.

 

The ship did not tell me how many people were sick. I did not see anyone got sick on my cabin area. The guess relations said nobody got sick. But I saw a lot empty seats on the threaters and restaurants. In a way, I'm glad I did not know how bad it spreaded.

 

Yes, I will still sail Royal Carribean.