An outbreak of norovirus has impacted over one hundred passengers aboard the cruise ship AIDAdiva, prompting health authorities to take action. As of now, 95 passengers and six crew members have reported symptoms associated with this highly contagious “vomiting bug.” The situation was first reported to health officials on November 30, 2023, marking the seventh day of illness for those affected.
The AIDAdiva, which set sail from Hamburg, Germany on November 10, is on a remarkable 133-day world cruise. The voyage has taken travelers across the Atlantic, through North America, and down to Latin America, with the ship recently docking at Cozumel, Mexico. Passengers, who have invested approximately £242 per night for this unique experience, have found themselves confined to their cabins as they deal with the symptoms of the illness, which include vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle weakness.
As the outbreak unfolded, the ship’s crew mobilized to disinfect common areas in an effort to contain the virus. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that fewer than 6% of the ship’s total 2,007 passengers have been affected, though the relatively high concentration of people in close quarters has raised concerns.
Cruise ships are mandated to report any outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness to the CDC, which monitors such occurrences to prevent further spread during port visits. According to Michael Zimring, director of the Center for Wilderness and Travel Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, the confined environment of cruise ships, where many individuals share common facilities, is conducive to the transmission of viruses. He stated, “In close quarters it doesn’t get away, everything’s concentrated.”
The year has seen a notable increase in gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships, with the CDC documenting 21 such incidents in 2023, primarily attributed to norovirus. Data indicates that norovirus has been responsible for 15 of 18 outbreaks in 2024 and 13 of 14 in the previous year.
Looking ahead, the AIDAdiva is scheduled for further stops in Guatemala and Costa Rica before making its way across the Pacific to destinations including Japan and Korea. The ship is expected to return to Hamburg on March 23, 2024, after visiting various other locations such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Portugal.
Earlier this year, the CDC noted an increase in cruise ship outbreaks compared to pre-pandemic levels, although it remains unclear if this trend will continue. They indicated that a new strain of norovirus is presently linked to outbreaks on land, which could be influencing the situation aboard cruise ships as well.
As the AIDAdiva continues its journey, passengers hope for a swift resolution to the outbreak that has overshadowed their travel experience.
