Fewer cruise passengers falling ill during gastrointestinal outbreaks
Fewer cruisers fell ill to outbreaks of onboard gastrointestinal illnesses last year.
According to Centers For Disease Control data, just 10 outbreaks were recorded, which is the second lowest level since 2001.
Only half of these turned out to be the norovirus bug.
The CDC said it found only 547 cases of gastrointestinal illnesses in 2018, less than half the number recorded in 2017.
The causes of four of the outbreaks are still undetermined, while an outbreak on a Cunard ship was identified as E.coli.
An incident is classified as an outbreak if 3% or more of a ship’s passengers or crew become sick.
Holland America’s Zaandam and Volendam, the Celebrity Infinity and Crystal Symphony were among the ships with outbreaks in 2018.
The number of outbreaks has been on the decline for many years after reaching a high of 37 outbreaks in 2006.
This is due to both improved sanitation techniques as well as better awareness of how gastrointestinal viruses spread.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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