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The recent increase in Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships has become the talk of the town. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there have been 13 outbreaks of the virus so far on cruises in North America. This marks the highest number of outbreaks on cruises since 2012, which has left several individuals worried.
The Norovirus (a stomach bug or stomach flu) is a very contagious virus. It can spread through food, water, and/or close contact with those who have contracted the illness. The virus spreads seasonally, usually during the winter when the temperature drops significantly.
Several patients have been taking to social media to shed light on their experience of contracting the virus while traveling at sea. They shared several details including the cost of medication and the response time of the medical team and crew during the medical emergency onboard.
The Norovirus lasts for 12 to 48 hours
Once a person contracts the virus, their stomach and intestine begin to swell. This is called acute gastroenteritis. The infected individual may experience several symptoms including stomach pain, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, fever, and body aches.
The virus' highly contagious nature is due to the fact that it is fairly easy to contract. The CDC reported that the people who get infected "can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can't see without a microscope."
The highly infectious disease may last for around two to three days. An individual can stay contagious for a couple of days after recovering as well. It is important to note that one starts to show symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the virus.
According to a 2018 analysis report by Journal Science, the virus may stay in the system for weeks or months after recovery in some cases. This may cause individuals to suffer from lingering inflammatory problems.
There is no vaccine available for the virus yet. However, those who contract it usually get better in two or three days. The virus may have a more serious impact on senior citizens, babies, and people with weaker immune systems than others.
The latest Norovirus outbreak was reported on the Viking Neptune
The latest outbreak occurred on June 20, when a ship called Viking Neptune was docked in New York, while it was returning from Iceland.
According to the CDC, 113 of 838 people (about 13% of the total passengers onboard), and nine crew members contracted the illness. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention came to the conclusion that the individuals had the virus after medical officials on board sent samples to the lab.
The list of outbreaks on cruises, as of July 2023
There are several precautions one can take to lower the chances of contracting the virus. Hygiene plays an important role in preventing the spread of Norovirus and individuals should ensure they disinfect surfaces around them and wash their hands regularly. They should also avoid traveling during flu season and wash their laundry thoroughly in hot water.
As a precaution, the CDC has suggested that passengers follow certain protocols. If a passenger experiences any of the symptoms of the virus, they are advised to stay in their cabins and notify the medical team immediately.
