Controlling illness on cruise ships is a challenge. Over the past 4 years, there have been 10 or so ships that meet the conditions for reporting by CDC (CDC Outbreak Updates for International Cruise Ships). But in order to report by CDC, there is a cutoff - "3% or more of passengers or crew reported symptoms of diarrheal disease to the ships medical staff during the voyage." So in the recent outbreak on the Ovation, it just made that mark at 3.3% on board ill.
This table shows the other cases in the last 6 months.
ABC News
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-05/gastro-outbreak-on-ovation-of-seas-cruise-ship/9226346
Gastro outbreak on Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, almost 200 ill
By Natalie Whiting
Updated 5 Dec 2017, 2:04amTue 5 Dec 2017, 2:04am
Nearly 200 people have been hit with gastro symptoms while onboard one of the world's largest cruise ships, the Ovation of the Seas, which has today docked in Hobart.
The American-owned ship arrived in the city today, carrying more than 5,800 people.
She has been at sea for 14 days and in that time 195 cases of gastrointestinal illness have been reported, representing just over three per cent of passengers and crew.
Ovation of the Seas, one of the world's largest cruise ships, is owned by Royal Caribbean International which released a statement.
"Those affected by the short-lived illness were treated by our ship's doctors with over-the-counter medication, and we hope all our guests feel better quickly," it said.
"Meanwhile, we're taking steps like intensive sanitary procedures to minimise the risk of any further issues."
One passenger posted a video on Facebook showing hallways being sprayed by crew members in industrial cleaning suits.
"I'm on here now and basically a sitting duck with people in both cabins either side not well with the gastro," another person commented on the video.
"They are doing everything perfectly to avoid further sickness.
"I could hear them last night doing this spraying outside my cabin."
Another reported that restaurants could not be accessed, finger food had been stopped and a galley tour had been cancelled.
Other passengers praised the crew's efforts to deal with the outbreak.
"The ship is doing absolutely everything to control it, you wash your hands at least a dozen times a day. Their hygiene is first class, it's obviously a passenger that's brought it on," one passenger told the ABC.
"Those affected by the short-lived illness were treated by our ship's doctors with over-the-counter medication, and we hope all our guests feel better quickly," it said.
"Meanwhile, we're taking steps like intensive sanitary procedures to minimise the risk of any further issues."
One passenger posted a video on Facebook showing hallways being sprayed by crew members in industrial cleaning suits.
"I'm on here now and basically a sitting duck with people in both cabins either side not well with the gastro," another person commented on the video.
"They are doing everything perfectly to avoid further sickness.
"I could hear them last night doing this spraying outside my cabin."
Another reported that restaurants could not be accessed, finger food had been stopped and a galley tour had been cancelled.
Other passengers praised the crew's efforts to deal with the outbreak.
"The ship is doing absolutely everything to control it, you wash your hands at least a dozen times a day. Their hygiene is first class, it's obviously a passenger that's brought it on," one passenger told the ABC.
No comments:
Post a Comment