Cruise ships: six simple ways to avoid illness

Cruise ships can be sites of norovirus outbreaks; a study of nearly 2,000 cruises docking in Sydney found about 5% reported gastro outbreaks. The article describes precautions such as thorough handwashing and notifying ship medical staff if symptoms develop.

A cruise can be an appealing holiday but the close quarters aboard ships make them a place where germs spread more easily. Norovirus is the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in Australia and is often linked to cruise outbreaks. A study of almost 2,000 cruises docking in Sydney found about 5% of ships reported gastro outbreaks. The article outlines common causes, precautions passengers can take, and how crews typically respond if cases are reported. Key facts: - Norovirus causes an estimated 2.2 million cases of gastro each year in Australia and was responsible for most cruise outbreaks with a known cause in the study. - The virus typically spreads by the faecal‑oral route, is shed in large numbers in stool and vomit, and only a small amount can cause infection. - Norovirus is hardy: it can resist stomach acid and moderate temperatures, and some cleaning agents and hand sanitisers may not fully remove it. - Cruise lines generally declare a gastro outbreak once about 2–3% of passengers or crew report symptoms; in the Sydney study 98 out of 1,967 ships reported outbreaks. - Typical symptoms are diarrhoea and vomiting lasting two to three days, and the main medical concern is dehydration, especially for young children and older adults. Summary: The article describes straightforward precautions, notably thorough handwashing and notifying ship medical staff if symptoms occur, that aim to reduce spread aboard ships. When cases are reported, crews typically begin extra cleaning and may ask affected passengers to remain in their cabins; further developments are undetermined at this time.