SECRETS OF THE NOROVIRUS, 'THE '24-HOUR STOMACH BUG' 1/21/2007 1:02:29 PM Link
The "24-hour belly bug," commonly known as norovirus, is on the
increase among the overall population and outbreaks are being
reported across the nation in hospitals, schools, daycare centers
and nursing homes, according to Dave Forney, head of the Vessel
Sanitation Program of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). With the elevated number of norovirus cases being
reported in California, Minnesota, Canada and Hong Kong, the cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA) has noted a comparable raise
in norovirus among guests and crew on board cruise ships.
"Norovirus is not an sickness only to cruise ships, but rather an
sickness normally seen in many settings throughout the United
States," Forney noted. "The reason you hear about norovirus on
cruise ships is because they are ordered to document every
occurrence of gastrointestinal sickness," Forney said. "There isn't
a required nationwide reporting system for land-based outbreaks of
norovirus in the United States."
As the next most widespread sickness in the United States, second
only to the ordinary cold, the CDC estimates that 23 million
citizens ? or 8 percent of the nation's population ? have symptoms
of norovirus yearly. Each year, less than 1 percent of all cruise
liner passengers are impacted by norovirus. Whether on land or sea,
easy individual hygiene practices, such as constant hand washing,
is a powerful start to preventing contagion and spreading of the
virus.
"The powers of prevention is in your hands ? thus," notes Terry L.
Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, whose members consist of 21 cruise
lines and 16,500 North American travel agencies. "The number one
best piece of guidance to remain healthy on land or at sea at any
time of the year is to cleanse your hands frequently and completely
with heated water and soap."
Cruise lines have a vested interest in educating their passengers
and in keeping a 'clean ship' to ensure a great vacation, Dale
added. "Passengers ? past and future ? should rest assured that
their chances of getting ill on a cruise are actually far less than
going about their every day lives."
Health experts confirm that norovirus on cruise ships is not
generally sourced from food or water, but rather from direct
contact with a person with the "stomach bug." It is also passed
along indirectly on objects or surfaces previously touched by
someone with norovirus, such as handrails or elevator buttons.
Cruise lines continuously clean and sterilize their vessels, Forney
said. He has seen the cruise lines acquire a initiative role in
addressing norovirus on board: "cruise ships, which are held to the
foremost sanitation standards in the world, maintain rigorous
protocols and procedures in place to govern and eliminate
transmittal of norovirus."
These aggressive procedures incorporate disinfecting and sanitizing
"high touch" common areas such as door handles, railings and
elevator buttons. Passengers are encouraged to cleanse their hands
regularly and hand-sanitizers are offered on varied ships. The CDC
and cruise lines also propose that cruise guests reduce their
contact close to others during the time when the sickness is liable
to be passed on. If a traveller is experiencing symptoms, they are
adequately advised to follow the medical staff's recommendations to
block the disperse of the sickness.
Symptoms of the sickness comprise diarrhea, vomiting and abdomen
cramps and may last from one to two days. The most ordinary way of
transmittal is via human-to-human interaction.
It is highly recommended that travelers experiencing norovirus
symptoms prior to their cruise contact the cruise line before
sailing to see if alternative cruising options are available.
For tips on how to remain well on your cruise, additional
information on norovirus and suitable hand cleansing techniques,
please see the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov or the Vessel Sanitation
Program's Web site at www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp.
the Captain
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