Tag Archives: Noro-virus

Vomiting bug outbreak on Fred Olsen’s Balmoral ship

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Vomiting bug outbreak on cruise ship. by James Franklin, Political reporter 
 

A CRUISE liner has been forced to return to Southampton after dozens of passengers were laid low with a “gastroenteritis-type” bug.

Fred Olsen vessel the Balmoral returned to the port after passengers were hit with the bug which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The firm said it was company policy not to reveal the number of passengers affected, but one contacted the Daily Echo to say that he understood as many as 250 had contracted the bug.

The eight-day cruise to the Norwegian fjords had begun in Southampton on May 3, but was forced to return to the city yesterday, one day ahead of schedule.

Passengers were informed about the outbreak on the evening of May 6, and Fred Olsen says it is offering compensation including a refund representative of one days’ cost of the cruise, a voucher and other “out of pocket” expenses.

The firm said the Balmoral had returned to Southampton one day early so it could be “systematically sanitized” ahead of her setting sail on a 13-day Madeira and Azores cruise this evening.

A spokesman said the illness, which is more contagious than the common cold and is spread by contact with surfaces and from person to person, lasts for about one or two days.

The spokesman added: “Fred. Olsen’s cruise ships meet, at all times, the highest safety, hygiene and health standards, and comply fully with the strict requirements and inspections of their Flag State, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and other relevant authorities.

“At Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, the health, safety and well-being of all our guests and crew is paramount, and we believe that our systems for preventing the spread of illness on board our ships are amongst the best within the industry.”

Only 1% of norovirus outbreaks are on cruise ships, says CDC

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By Jerry Limone
Norovirus outbreaks most often makes headlines when they happen on cruise ships, but these only account for about 1% of all reported outbreaks, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 20 million people get sick from norovirus each year, according to the CDC Vital Signs report “Preventing Norovirus Outbreaks.”

In norovirus outbreaks for which investigators reported the source was food contamination, 70% are caused by infected food workers, CDC reported.

Of outbreaks caused by food workers, 54% involve touching ready-to-eat foods (i.e., food that is ready to be served without additional preparation, such as washed raw fruits and vegetables, baked goods or items that have already been cooked) with bare hands.

According to the CDC, observations of food service workers have shown that they practice proper hand washing only one out of four times. The CDC recommends that workers “wash hands carefully and often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom.”

“Norovirus often gets attention for outbreaks on cruise ships, but those account for only about 1% of all reported norovirus outbreaks,” the report said.

“Norovirus is very contagious, and outbreaks can occur anywhere people gather or food is served.”

Norovirus outbreaks said to hurt cruise industry’s image

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By Tom Stieghorst

Cruise ship deckOutbreaks of norovirus early this year on several cruise ships, including Explorer of the Seas, led to a decline in the trust in cruising and intent to purchase a cruise, according to a Harris poll.

The consumer polling company released an update of its research last year that showed a decline in the industry’s image after the widely publicized Carnival Triumph fire.

Harris said polling done Feb. 10-14 found that perceptions were trending upwards in January, although still below levels before the Triumph incident. But the norovirus outbreaks reversed those gains.

Harris said the average perceived quality score for the cruise industry was down 11% compared with before the Triumph incident, with trust down 12% and purchase intent down 13%.

The seven brands in the survey all declined in at least one of the measures after the norovirus incidents, and most were down from pre-Triumph levels to begin with.

“We’ve all heard the saying that a rising tide lifts all boats,” says Deana Percassi, vice president and public relations research consultant for Nielsen, which acquired Harris in February. “But the inverse also holds true. In a field as crowded as the cruise industry, bad press for a small handful of brands — or even a single one — can have negative repercussions for major players across the board.”