A major outbreak of the highly contagious norovirus, known for causing such severe vomiting it can crack ribs, has struck a cruise ship operated by Holland America Line. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that 89 individuals fell ill during a recent voyage.
Details of the Cruise Ship Outbreak
The incident occurred aboard the Rotterdam ship during its voyage from December 28 to January 9. According to the CDC's report, of the 2,593 passengers and 1,005 crew members on board, 81 passengers and eight crew members reported symptoms consistent with norovirus, including diarrhoea and vomiting.
The cruise line notified the CDC of the situation on January 8. The ship had departed from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, with scheduled stops in destinations including Curaçao, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
In response to the outbreak, Holland America Line implemented enhanced measures. A spokesperson stated that the cases were "mostly mild and quickly resolved". The company increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, collected stool specimens from affected individuals, and isolated sick passengers and crew. A comprehensive sanitisation was conducted when the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale on January 9.
Norovirus: A Widespread Winter Threat
This outbreak coincides with a seasonal surge in winter illnesses across the United States. The latest CDC data shows that 12 percent of norovirus tests came back positive in the week leading up to December 20, a slight increase from previous weeks.
Norovirus is notoriously virulent, infecting an estimated 21 million Americans annually and leading to approximately 900 deaths, primarily among older adults. It causes acute gastroenteritis, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea appearing within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. The force of the vomiting can be so extreme it has been linked to cracked ribs.
The primary danger is dehydration from rapid fluid loss, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, reduced organ perfusion, and electrolyte imbalances potentially affecting heart and muscle function.
Containment Challenges and Public Health Advice
The virus spreads easily through contact with contaminated surfaces, food, or an infected person. The CDC defines an outbreak as two or more similar illnesses stemming from a common exposure confirmed or suspected to be norovirus. There are roughly 2,500 such outbreaks in the US each year.
Public health officials emphasise that alcohol-based hand sanitisers are often ineffective against norovirus. Frequent handwashing with soap and water is the most recommended preventative measure. The true number of infections is believed to be far higher than reported, as many with mild symptoms do not seek testing.
While CDC data for the current season (August 1 to December 11) shows 268 reported outbreaks—lower than the 554 in the same period last year—the recent cruise ship incident underscores the virus's persistent threat, particularly in confined communal settings like cruise ships during the winter travel period.
