Norovirus outbreaks are increasing around the country and on cruise ships

About 900 people aboard cruise ships became ill from gastroenteritis in December during the peak of the outbreak, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention.

So far this year, there have been 16 cruise ship accidents, from norovirus, Salmonella, Yes. coli or other unknown pathogens that cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting. That is the largest number of cruise ship departures for 12 years.

Five of those outbreaks occurred this month. The latest incident involves the British ocean liner Queen Mary 2, where about 13% of the passengers and more than 5% of the crew on board were infected.

This comes amid a nationwide outbreak of norovirus, a fast-moving virus that is often transmitted through clean food or water contaminated by small particles of infected feces or vomit. It can also be transmitted through physical and human contact, and most infections occur in settings such as hospitals, restaurants and long-term care facilities.

In the week of December 5 – the most recent period for which data is available – the CDC reported 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks, which is higher than the number reported during the same period. past since 2012. The data comes from 14 states reported in the CDC’s National Infection Reporting System.

“This year the number of reported norovirus outbreaks exceeds the number we have seen in recent years and in previous years,” the CDC said in a statement.

There are about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks each year, according to the CDC, and they are most common in the cooler winter months. It is not known why the disease is more common in winter, although scientists speculate that it may be because people spend more time together indoors.

Norovirus outbreaks declined in the 2020-21 season due to reduced public services and transmission during the pandemic.

The CDC’s reporting system that collects test data from laboratories around the country shows a 22% rate of positive norovirus tests in the week ending Dec. 21, which is the highest rate since 2018.

Young children and older adults are most at risk of severe dehydration from norovirus. The disease leads to about 465,000 emergency department visits each year, mostly in young children.

The disease is often spread through direct contact, such as sharing food or utensils. To prevent infection, the CDC recommends regular hand washing, “especially for people who handle food or are around children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems.” weak.”

Norovirus is a hardy virus that the CDC says can live on surfaces for days or weeks. Recent infections on ships have prompted the Queen Mary’s parent company, Cunard, and other cruise lines, including Holland America, to increase cleaning and sanitation on ships, as well as to isolate sick workers.

These measures include “increased cleaning of public areas and staterooms, and careful monitoring by our medical team, to ensure the comfort, health and well-being of all passengers and crew,” a Cunard spokesperson said. North America’s Jackie Chase said in an emailed statement.

Holland America Line, which had norovirus outbreaks on two of its ships this month, said it had cleaned both ships and had no further incidents.