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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified 2024 as the worst year for outbreaks of stomach diseases and cases further cruise ships in more than a decade as Norovirus has grown in the US
In the last month alone, 890 cases (781 passengers and 109 cruise staff) of stomach illness occurred in five recorded outbreaks. From January 3 to December 29, there were a total of 16 outbreaks.
The last time there were as many as 16 outbreaks was in 2012. Of the 16 outbreaks this year, 11 were caused by norovirus.
Norovirus, also known as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” is a highly contagious virus that includes symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC. However, Norovirus is separate from the typical flu caused by the influenza virus.
Although the CDC says the recovery time for most people with norovirus is one to three days, the virus is still contagious for several days after symptoms disappear.
“Most outbreaks occur when infected people spread the virus to others through direct contact (such as caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them),” according to the CDC.
Each year, the CDC estimates about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks with between 19 and 21 million cases, 100,000 of which result in hospitalizations. November to April is the most risky time for norovirus outbreaks.
Three ships with reported a norovirus outbreak this month included Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam, Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess, and Holland America Line’s Rotterdam.
The latest unknown outbreak began on December 21 on Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 and is now expected to last until January 3, 2025.
Earlier in December, The CDC has released its annual list of vessel sanitation programs of the dirtiest ships in the past 12 months. All cruise ships receive a score out of 100 based on a number of factors, from the cleanliness of the pools and hot tubs to the presence of pests and cockroaches.
A total of 151 inspections were carried out, of which 23 required a second inspection. The average score was 95.9, but the nine dirtiest ships scored between 86 and 89. If they had scored below 85, they would have been listed as “unsatisfactory”.
Initially, Hanseatic Inspiration by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises received 62 in September. However, a follow-up inspection a month later raised the score to 89.
Here are nine ships that didn’t score 90 or higher:
- Hanseatic Inspiration by Hapag-Lloyd Cruises (originally scored 62 in September before scoring 89 in October)
- Carnival Elation by Carnival Cruise Line (turned 89 in March)
- Adventure of the Seas by Royal Caribbean International (scored 89 in January)
- National Geographic Sea Bird by Lindblad Expeditions (turned 88 in July)
- Carnival Miracle by Carnival Cruise Line (turned 88 in April)
- MSC Magnifica by MSC Cruises (turned 86 in May)
- Evrima by Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (turned 86 in February)
- Carnival Breeze by Carnival Cruise Line (turned 86 in March)
- Caribbean Princess by Princess Cruises (turned 86 in March)