2 Ways to Avoid a Norovirus on a Cruise Ship
There has been a lot of publicity, in recent years, about norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships. This is a virus which affects the stomach and intestines. The most common norovirus symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, mild fever, headache, fatigue, and stomach cramping. It has an incubation period of 36 hours, and usually only lasts one or two days. While it is highly contagious, here are 2 ways to avoid a norovirus on a cruise ship.
You can become infected with the virus if you touch surfaces or objects infected with the norovirus (such as handrails, doorknobs, and elevator buttons) or if you shake hands with an infected person and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
One way to avoid a norovirus is to be sure you wash your hands often with soap and warm water. In addition, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer such as Purell frequently.
The other way to avoid a norovirus is to visit the CDC’s (Center for Disease Control’s) online Vessel Sanitation Program before you book your cruise. They monitor cruise ships that carry more than 13 passengers, using surprise inspections. Not only do they check how clean the kitchen and dining rooms are, the Vessel Sanitation Program makes sure the hot tubs are hot enough, the plumbing is up to code, and the decks are being properly cleaned.
Their database will allow you to search by individual ship or by cruise line. Read the full report. If a ship has a score lower than 85, don’t book that cruise. They also list all ships that have had any type of illness outbreak since 1994.
Have a healthy and happy cruise!
For more information about the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program…..
Write: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1600 Clifton Road; Atlanta, GA 30333.
Call: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Website: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/desc/aboutvsp.htm
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It should be noted these inspections and statistics are for ships which port in the USA. No such requirements for ship porting elsewhere.
@Kate, thanks Kate! That’s a really good point.
Sometimes travel insurance covers norovirus outbreaks if it impacts part of your vacation. However, you need to read the fine print of the policy. It should be under the unforeseen events. If it is not listed there, you may want to ask. These norovirus outbreaks seem to be happening more often that we would expect and it can certainly ruin part of your vacation