Norovirus broke out on the Aida Diva.Image: www.imago-images.de
Sudden diarrhea and vomiting: Norovirus breaks out on an Aida cruise ship during a world trip with thousands of guests.
Ellen Ivits / t-online
There has been an outbreak of norovirus on a ship owned by the cruise operator Aida. This is reported by the US health authority CDC. The “AIDAdiva” was out on November 10th Hamburg set off on a 133-day trip around the world.
Accordingly, the American authorities were informed about the outbreak on November 30th. At this point it had Cruise ship already left the US East Coast. The report was still necessary because the “AIDAdiva” will call at ports in the United States again during the further course of the voyage.
Hygiene measures on board the Aida ship have been tightened
According to the CDC, a total of 95 of 2,007 guests were infected with norovirus. That’s 4.8 percent of passengers. Six crew members are also affected, which makes up around 0.9 percent of the crew. Those affected show symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. The reported cases cover the entire travel period so far, so they did not occur at the same time.
According to information from the CDC, Aida has taken comprehensive measures to prevent further spread. Increased cleaning and disinfection protocols are therefore used on the “AIDAdiva”. Sick passengers and crew members are isolated, medically examined and tested for the virus.
US authorities keep an eye on the cruise ship
The ship is now heading towards the Panama Canal taken. However, further sales of the cruise include stops in San Diego, Long Beach, among others Los AngelesSanta Barbara and San Francisco planned. For this reason, the US health authority will continue to monitor the ship.
After the planned stays in the United States, the route will continue across the Pacific to Asia.
This is how norovirus is transmitted
Noroviruses are widespread worldwide. They are excreted in the stool or vomit of infected people. Even a very small amount – probably between 10 and 100 virus particles – is enough to cause an infection.
Dia Aida Diva is being watched with suspicion by the US health authority.Image: www.imago-images.de
Transmission usually occurs fecal-orally, for example through hand contact with contaminated surfaces or through inhalation of virus-containing droplets that are produced during sudden vomiting. This explains why noroviruses spread particularly quickly in community facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals or on cruise ships.
The main cause of many infections is direct person-to-person contact. However, infection can also occur through contaminated food such as salads, seafood or contaminated drinking water RKI.
Sources used: