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A gastrointestinal illness outbreak affected 12 people aboard the expedition vessel National Geographic Sea Bird during a 6-day voyage in Southeast Alaska that concluded on May 31st, according to a report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak involved nine guests and three crew members on the 152-foot vessel, which accommodates up to 62 passengers and 30 crew. The cruise departed Juneau on May 26th and arrived in Sitka on May 31st. The ship reported the incident to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) on May 28th after cases of vomiting and diarrhoea were identified among those on board.
The cause of the outbreak has not yet been determined. The CDC noted that while norovirus is frequently associated with gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, the source of an outbreak is not always immediately known and laboratory investigations can require additional time before a causative agent is confirmed.
In response, the vessel's crew and operator, Lindblad Expeditions, implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures in accordance with established outbreak prevention and response procedures. Passengers and crew members displaying symptoms were isolated, while the company worked with the Vessel Sanitation Program regarding sanitation protocols and the reporting of new cases.
The CDC stated that it monitored the situation remotely, reviewing the ship's response measures and sanitation practices throughout the incident.
Following the completion of the voyage in Sitka, National Geographic Sea Bird departed on its next scheduled sailing and is expected to return to Juneau later in the week.
Fuente: Cruise Mapper
