Stay Healthy on Cruises: Tips to Prevent Hantavirus and Norovirus Outbreaks

Cruise ships are currently in the spotlight for health-related concerns, as they grapple not only with a rare strain of hantavirus but also with more prevalent illnesses like norovirus. Health officials are vigilantly monitoring these developments, urging travelers to take necessary precautions.

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an outbreak of norovirus aboard the Caribbean Princess, a cruise ship charting a course towards Florida. This news arrives just as many travelers are gearing up for their vacations, including families setting sail from the Port of Los Angeles.

Despite the potential health risks posed by the confined environment of cruise ships, passengers remain eager to embark on their journeys. Many acknowledge the ease with which illnesses can spread in such settings and are proactively taking measures to safeguard their health.

One traveler remarked, “We’re diligent about washing our hands whenever possible, and we always carry hand sanitizer.” This sentiment echoes the advice of health experts, who stress that simple precautions are still the most effective defense against the spread of disease.

Health experts emphasize basic precautions remain effective in preventing the spread of disease.

“Most common sense measures still work,” said Dr. Suman Radhakrishna, an infectious disease specialist with Dignity Health California Hospital.

Concerns have also been fueled by an ongoing investigation into a rare hantavirus outbreak aboard a Dutch-based cruise ship. Radhakrishna noted the overall risk to the public remains very low, despite the severity of the illness.

“When you talk about up to 40 to 50% mortality rate, it means 1 out of 2 people could die from hantavirus,” Radhakrishna said.

The World Health Organization is investigating 13 cases of the Andes strain of hantavirus, resulting in three deaths. It is the only known strain of hantavirus that can spread from person to person.

Symptoms typically resemble the flu, including fever, headache and muscle aches, but differ in certain ways.

“The one thing for sure that they don’t have is that runny nose and the sore throat,” Radhakrishna said.

While the hantavirus outbreak has drawn global concern, health officials say norovirus remains a more immediate and frequent issue on cruise ships.

The CDC reported 115 cases aboard the Caribbean Princess, underscoring how quickly the illness can spread.

“The symptoms start with violent nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. It’s typically short-lived,” Radhakrishna said.

Norovirus spreads rapidly through shared surfaces or close contact, conditions common on cruise ships. Regular cruisers say they are prepared to take extra precautions.

“A bunch of us have a mask with us and we’ll be putting them on,” said Ron Hester, a cruise ship passenger.

He and his family also packed hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, saying they plan to avoid anyone who appears ill.

Radhakrishna advises travelers to delay trips if they are sick and to notify crew members immediately if symptoms develop while on board so they can isolate and prevent further spread.

As cruise demand continues, health experts say awareness and simple preventive measures can help reduce the risk of illness at sea.