Worse year for cruise ship outbreaks in more than a decade
The past year was the worst for cruise ship gastrointestinal outbreaks in more than a decade.
The latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC reported 16 gastrointestinal outbreaks on ships in 2024.
A year earlier, there were a total of 14 outbreaks.
Most were classed as norovirus outbreaks while there were salmonella and E,coli outbreaks and an ‘unknown cause.’
“While 2023 and 2024 both had higher numbers of cruise ship outbreaks than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend,” the CDC said.
“Cruise ship travel during the Covid-19 pandemic was limited, and prior to that, we saw that the rates of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships decreased during 2006-2019.”
This past month was the worst for outbreaks.
The CDC recorded five in December alone.
An outbreak is triggered when at least 3% report gastrointestinal symptoms during a voyage.
While highly infectious norovirus outbreaks are associated with cruise ships, only about 1% of outbreaks in the US are at sea.
Related News Stories: Worse year for cruise ship outbreaks in more than a decade Cruise ships hit by worst year for stomach bugs in over a decade ... 2024 was worst year for stomach virus outbreaks on cruise ships in ... Cruise ships report worst year for stomach sickness in over a decade Cruise ships suffer worst year for stomach bugs in over a decade ... 9 Worst Cruise Virus Outbreaks in the Past 10 Years Cruise Ships Reports Worst Year for Stomach Sickness Onboard in ... Cruise ships dealt with worst year of norovirus cases in over a ... Outbreaks on Cruise Ships in VSP's Jurisdiction | Vessel Sanitation ... Cruise ships witness worst year for stomach bug outbreaks in over a ...
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt