Cruise ships hit by worst year for stomach bugs in over a decade, CDC data reveals

Cruise ships experienced the worst year for gastrointestinal illness outbreaks in more than a decade, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The cruise industry continues to grow, with an estimated 37.1 million cruise ship passengers expected by 2025. But another statistic on the table isn't so encouraging: Recent data from the CDC shows that 2024 will be the worst year for gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in more than a decade.

Outbreak of norovirus at sea
CDC data suggests that most gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024 were linked to norovirus, a highly contagious virus. In December alone, five cruise ships contracted the disease, and hundreds of passengers reported symptoms on Cunard Line, Holland America and Princess Cruises ships. According to CDC data, when an outbreak is reported on ships, it means that 3 percent or more of the ship's passengers and crew have reported gastrointestinal symptoms to the medical team.

Norovirus, also known as the "cruise ship virus", is highly contagious. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist, says: "This virus can infect you with a small number of viral particles, and it can survive on environmental surfaces for days or even weeks."

Due to this property, people in closed environments such as ships are more susceptible to disease. He adds that the winter season is usually the peak time of norovirus outbreaks, and the intensity of this outbreak has been higher than usual this season.

Increase in outbreaks
In 2024, the CDC reported 16 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships, the highest number in more than a decade. In 2023, the number was 14.

Although there were fewer reports in 2020-2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of outbreaks has risen again in recent years, CDC data shows. However, a CDC spokeswoman says it's not yet clear whether the increase represents a new trend.

Tips for staying healthy on board
The CDC recommends that cruise ship passengers report symptoms immediately and follow the instructions of medical staff. It is also very important to wash your hands regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating.

While cruise ships do a lot to control outbreaks, including quarantining sick passengers and increasing ship cleanliness, the potential for norovirus to spread remains high due to its highly contagious nature.

Dr. Schaffner advises that if you feel sick, postpone your trip and pay special attention to hand hygiene on the ship. He emphasizes that using soap and water for washing is better than using disinfectant solutions because norovirus is more resistant to alcohol.