An outbreak of an unidentified gastrointestinal illness affected 154 passengers and crew aboard Cunard ship line’s Queen Victoria cruise ship.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are determining the cause of the outbreak, which crew members first reported on February 1.
Since then, the number of cases has risen, with 129 passengers and 25 crew members experiencing symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.
Cruise Details and Response Measures
The Queen Victoria departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 22, with 1,824 passengers and 967 crew members on board.
Scheduled to dock in Honolulu on February 12, the cruise faced challenges in containing the spread of the illness.
In response to the outbreak, Cunard has enacted heightened health and safety protocols, including enhanced cleaning, isolating those affected, and informing current and incoming passengers and crew.
CDC’s Monitoring and Assessment
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is actively monitoring the situation and evaluating the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation protocols.
Despite investigations, the cruise line emphasizes its dedication to prioritizing the health and wellbeing of all passengers and crew.
Cunard confirms to ABC News that during voyage V405 of the Queen Victoria, departing Florida on January 22 and arriving in San Francisco on February 7, several guests reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.
They promptly implemented their improved health and safety protocols to guarantee the welfare of all guests and crew on board, confirming that these measures are effective.
Continuation of Itinerary
As per CruiseMapper (the cruise tracking website), Queen Victoria is on a 55-day voyage from Hamburg, Germany, to Sydney, Australia, slated to conclude on March 4.
Despite the outbreak, the cruise ship continues its journey with enhanced safety measures in place.
Previous Incidents and CDC Findings
This outbreak marks the second instance of illness aboard a cruise ship this year.
The first occurred in January, affecting 100 people aboard Celebrity Constellation, with symptoms similar to those seen on the Queen Victoria.
The CDC determined that the culprit was norovirus, a gastrointestinal disease that accounted for most of the 14 outbreaks seen on cruise ships last year.
U.S. Travel and Cruises
Travelers, especially those considering cruises, must be informed about health and safety measures enforced by cruise lines and regulatory bodies such as the CDC.
Additionally, eligible individuals can utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Visa Waiver Program when journeying to the U.S.
ESTA allows citizens from eligible countries to visit the United States without a visa for tourism, business, or transit reasons for a maximum of 90 days.
It streamlines the entry process and enhances security, providing convenience for eligible travelers.
In light of recent cruise ship incidents, complying with health and safety protocols and obtaining travel authorizations like ESTA is essential for a secure journey to the United States.