CDC Investigates ‘Unknown’ Illness Outbreak Aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

February 7, 2025 TruthUSA

This week, an unreported gastrointestinal illness outbreak affected close to 100 individuals aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Radiance of the Seas, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On February 5, the CDC stated that around 89 of the 2,164 passengers on the vessel experienced symptoms, which accounts for approximately 4 percent of those onboard. Additionally, two out of 910 crew members also reported being ill, according to the agency.

The CDC identified vomiting and diarrhea as the main symptoms associated with the outbreak. They labeled the “causative agent” as “unknown.”

The cruise began on February 1 and is set to conclude on February 8, with the outbreak first being recognized on February 5.

Sick passengers and crew were segregated from other individuals on the ship, as per CDC guidelines. The ship has also enhanced its “cleaning and disinfection measures” and has gathered samples for further testing to establish the cause of the outbreak, the agency reported.

Officials from the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program are now “remotely monitoring the situation, including reviewing the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation protocols,” the agency noted.

Although the specific cause of the outbreak remains undisclosed, the CDC indicated that norovirus is typically responsible for most cruise ship outbreaks, adding that “identifying the agent responsible for an outbreak … can take time.”

“When an outbreak is confirmed, individuals whose symptoms match the case definition are requested to submit stool or vomitus samples for testing to identify the causative agent,” noted the CDC.

Since the beginning of 2025, the CDC has documented six outbreaks on cruise ships, including the incident aboard the Radiance of the Seas. Out of those, three were attributed to norovirus, while one resulted from E. coli, and another was “presumed” to be caused by ciguatera fish poisoning, the agency explained.

Cruise lines have an obligation to report occurrences of diarrhea or vomiting, along with any other symptoms, to the CDC, as stated by the agency.

Norovirus Updates

Reports of norovirus infections have been rising in certain regions across the United States this winter, according to government statistics.

The latest data from the CDC reveals that 97 outbreaks of norovirus were documented during the week of January 9, down from 128 outbreaks reported the previous week. Past statistics show a maximum of 65 outbreaks recorded during the first week of December 2024.

Infections of norovirus are marked by sudden instances of vomiting and diarrhea. These outbreaks are frequently encountered on cruise ships, in crowded living environments like nursing homes and jails, and in schools or other close quarters.

In an average year, the CDC estimates that norovirus leads to between 19 million and 21 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea, 109,000 hospitalizations, and around 900 deaths in the United States. Moreover, the virus accounts for approximately 495,000 emergency department visits, primarily among young children, as stated by the CDC. The majority of outbreaks occur between November and April.

If a new strain of the virus emerges, there may be an increase of over 50 percent in norovirus illnesses, according to the agency. Outbreaks tend to occur in healthcare facilities, long-term care establishments, restaurants, daycare centers, schools, and cruise ships.

The Epoch Times reached out to Royal Caribbean for a statement on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Source link

Norovirus Updates

You May Also Like

Capt. Winston Scott Discusses Stranded Astronauts Making the Most of the Holidays on Newsmax

Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with rare bone marrow cancer while undergoing treatment in prison | Entertainment and Arts Update

LIVE NOW: Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case Arrives for Arraignment in Manhattan Court

Leave a Reply Cancel reply