This year marked the worst in over a decade for stomach bug outbreaks on cruise ships docking in the US, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With one day left, 2024 recorded the highest number of stomach virus outbreaks onboard cruises since 2012 — with both years tying at 16 total outbreaks. Last year saw 14 gastrointestinal outbreaks.
In December alone, the CDC reported five separate outbreaks on four different ships — sickening more than 800 people. All of the outbreaks were caused by the highly contagious norovirus which is seeing an uptick in cases across the US.
The most recent outbreak is this year’s worst.
The outbreak onboard Cunard cruise line’s Queen Mary 2 ship — which set sail on Dec. 21 and is still out at sea — has sickened nearly 400 people onboard. According to the most recent CDC data, 326 of 2,565 passengers, or 12%, and 65 of 1,233 crew members, or 5%, have come down with the nasty stomach bug.
The norovirus seemingly stayed onboard the Queen Mary 2 — either through contaminated surfaces or infected crew members — when passengers on its last voyage deboarded the cruise ship.
An earlier outbreak on the same boat during a Dec 14 to Dec 21 voyage sickened 138 of 2,430 passengers or 5% and 12 of 1,237 crew members or 1%, according to the data.
The vast majority of the 16 outbreaks — all but three — were caused by norovirus in 2024. One outbreak in March was caused by E. coli and one in September was caused by Salmonella, while a third’s cause remains unknown, the CDC said.
Cunard Line said it enacted enhanced health protocols in response to the outbreaks, including additional deep cleaning and close monitoring of ill passengers and crew by the onboard medical staff.
Norovirus symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps and typically last between one to three days.
But the virus is often still contagious after the symptoms reside — even up to two weeks later.
It can spread “very easily and quickly” through direct contact, consuming contaminated food or drinks and touching contaminated surfaces, the CDC states.
Frequent and thorough hand washing — especially before eating and after using the restroom — is key to keeping the bug at bay as well as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Cruise lines follow specific CDC-approved guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting ships and are required to report any outbreaks affecting 3% or more of passengers and crew members to the agency.
Cruise ships aren’t the only place the norovirus spreads quickly. Each year, there are an average of 2,500 reported outbreaks of the nasty stomach virus across the US and cases are currently surging in parts of the country.
The norovirus is estimated to cost $60 billion worldwide — and about $2 billion in the US — each year in healthcare costs and lost productivity, according to the CDC.
