Friday, June 7, 2024 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an outbreak of norovirus on a recent Celebrity Alaska cruise. This outbreak affected 68 guests and five crew members aboard the Celebrity Summit. The incident highlights ongoing health challenges within the cruise industry, particularly as it navigates the post-pandemic landscape.
The outbreak occurred during a voyage that departed from Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 24. The Celebrity Summit, a 2,264-guest ship, was on one of its series of Alaska cruise voyages, calling at Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Icy Strait Point before ending in Seward. Norovirus, identified as the cause of the outbreak, is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated food or surfaces.
Symptoms typically include diarrhea and vomiting, which can be particularly disruptive on a cruise ship. Upon discovering the outbreak, Celebrity Cruises took immediate action to mitigate the spread. Sick guests and crew were isolated, and the ship underwent a more rigorous sanitization process.
Celebrity Cruises emphasized their commitment to guest and crew safety, implementing enhanced cleaning protocols and health measures to control the outbreak. Norovirus, often referred to as the stomach flu, is notorious for causing outbreaks on cruise ships due to the close quarters and shared dining facilities. It spreads easily through contaminated food, water, and surfaces, making it difficult to control once it begins.
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