Is there a new strain of norovirus plaguing cruise ships?

• The United States has been experiencing a new strain of norovirus, that may have made its way onto cruise ships.
• This would help explain a rise in outbreaks on cruise ships in recent months.
• Read a guide on how to stay safe from norovirus on your cruise.

The United States has been seeing an uptick in outbreaks of norovirus onboard cruise ships, and it appears that a new strain of the virus could be to blame.

The country’s Center for Disease Control told USA Today, that while there isn’t yet definitive evidence, outbreaks do appear to be the rise and the newly dominant strain could be the cause.

“While the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend.

“However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land. Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.”

It should be noted that is not a phenomenon exclusive to being at sea. The country has been seeing an uptick of cases, and the new strain on land.

Naturally this is likely to spread to cruise ships at some point, but incidences on ships appear to be rising in correlation with incidences on land, rather than as as its own problem.

There isn’t yet any indication on if this new strain is present in Australia, or if outbreaks are also on the rise in Australia. However, Australia has many ships that alternate their operations with the USA, and given the contagious nature of the virus, it’s definitely something for Aussies cruisers to keep an eye on.

Princess Cruises has had to delay some voyages sailing out of the USA in order to perform deep cleaning and try to get on top of the outbreaks.

This similarly happened to Diamond Princess in Australia last year, with various delays incurred in order to perform deep cleaning and eliminate norovirus from the ship.

The CDC classifies outbreaks on ships at incidences where at least 3% of passengers and crew report feeling ill. On a ship carrying 5000 passengers and crew, this would equate to 150 feeling ill.

Staying safe from norovirus

• Cruise Passenger has a complete guide on how to stay safe from norovirus, as well as everything you should know about the virus.
• The CDC has recently affirmed the importance of using soap and water, not just hand sanitiser. Soap and water is more effective.
• Regular and thorough hand washing is the most effective tool you have try avoid the virus when cruising.
• It should be remembered that the virus’s prevalence on cruise ships can be exaggerated, and it shouldn’t be a deterrent to cruising. However, you should still keep the best hygiene you can while sailing.