Six Simple Ways to Avoid Getting Ill on Cruise Ships
Cruise ships offer the perfect summer holiday, but with hundreds or even thousands of people in close quarters, they can also become a hotbed of germs. In particular, cruises are somewhat notorious for outbreaks of gastroenteritis, commonly known as gastro. One study, which examined nearly 2,000 cruises docking in Sydney, found that 5% of ships reported a gastro outbreak on board. However, if you are about to head off on a cruise, there is no need to panic. By taking some simple precautions, you can give yourself the best chance of a happy, gastro-free holiday.
What Causes Gastro on Cruise Ships?
Viruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in Australia, with norovirus being the main culprit. It causes an estimated 2.2 million cases of gastro each year. Norovirus is typically transmitted from person to person via the faecal-oral route, where virus particles found in the stool of one person end up being swallowed by another. Extremely large numbers of virus particles are shed in faeces and vomit, yet a person only needs to ingest a very small number to catch the infection.
Norovirus is hardy and can resist acid conditions, such as those in the gut, and moderate temperatures, like those used in washing clothes or reheating food. Additionally, many chemicals used in cleaning products and hand sanitisers do not effectively remove norovirus. The main symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting, which usually last for two to three days and stop on their own. The primary risk is dehydration, which is of most concern for young children and the elderly.
How Norovirus Spreads on Cruise Ships
Generally, a cruise ship will declare a "gastro outbreak" once 2-3% of passengers or crew are ill with gastro symptoms. For example, on a ship of 2,000 passengers, 40-60 people would need to be unwell before an outbreak is declared. An Australian study found that 5% of cruise ships arriving in Sydney between 2007 and 2016 reported gastro outbreaks, with 93% of those caused by norovirus.
Norovirus spreads mainly directly from person to person, as many activities on a cruise involve mixing with others in a reasonably closed space. A handshake, a normal greeting, is fairly unsanitary; recent studies suggest promoting a "fist-bump" or a modified "cruise-tap" where only two knuckles are touched. The virus also spreads through touching contaminated surfaces, such as hand rails, lift buttons, or buffet utensils, if an infected person does not wash their hands properly. It is rare to inhale norovirus particles from the air, but it can occur if someone vomits nearby. While norovirus can be found in food, cruise ships have strict food handling practices to prevent its spread.
Six Simple Tips to Avoid Catching Norovirus
It is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of catching norovirus, but you can minimise it with these steps:
- Wash your hands well and frequently, especially before eating. Handwashing is always better than relying on hand sanitisers.
- Do not share food, drinks, or eating utensils to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Avoid touching food with your hands to prevent contamination.
- Reduce unnecessary contact with communal surfaces like railings and buttons.
- Leave the area if someone vomits to avoid potential airborne particles.
- Report symptoms immediately to medical personnel and follow their instructions, which may include staying in your cabin to prevent spreading the virus.
By following these precautions, you can help minimise the risk of gastro spoiling your cruise. Above all, thorough and frequent handwashing is key to staying healthy and enjoying your holiday.
