Around 140 people have become ill with a gastrointestinal disease aboard the Cunard Queen Victoria cruise liner.
The outbreak was first noticed when the ship docked in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 22, prompting the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the situation.
Cunard’s Queen Victoria Faces Health Crisis
As of Thursday, the CDC reported that 123 passengers and 16 crew members have reported symptoms during a three-week leg of the voyage. With a total of around 1,800 passengers and 960 crew members onboard, the predominant symptoms of the illness include diarrhea and vomiting.
Despite efforts to determine the cause, the origin of the outbreak remains unknown, according to the CDC.
Queen Victoria is currently on a 107-night world voyage, with scheduled stops in San Francisco on February 6 and Honolulu on February 12 before proceeding to countries in Oceania, as per the Cunard website.
In response to the outbreak, the Queen Victoria crew has taken proactive measures, including an increase in cleaning and disinfection procedures. Additionally, ill passengers and crew have been isolated to prevent further spread.
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Gastrointestinal Outbreak
Cunard Cruise Line acknowledged the situation, stating that a small number of guests reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness on board the Queen Victoria. The cruise line activated enhanced health and safety protocols immediately to ensure the well-being of all individuals on board.
The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program continues to monitor the situation remotely, closely reviewing the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures. Medical staff on cruise ships under US jurisdiction are obligated to report cases of gastrointestinal illness to the Vessel Sanitation Program when the infection rate reaches at least two percent of the people onboard.
As the ship continues its global journey, passengers and crew are undoubtedly hoping for a swift resolution to the outbreak, and health authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to contain and understand the nature of the illness.
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