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The recent news stories regarding norovirus incidents aboard cruise
ships may cause some to express concern about vacationing at sea.CLIA
has prepared this communication so that you have the latest norovirus
information at your finger tips. Included are the procedures that
cruise lines are taking, plus preventative measures your clients can
take to stay healthy while enjoying their vacation.According to the
most recent information, the facts are as follows:
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What is norovirus? Norovirus sounds exotic, but it' well known as the
24-hour stomach bug and is the second most prevalent illness in the
U.S., after the common cold. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting
and stomach cramps that typically last one to two days.
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There are numerous incidents of norovirus across the country, but the
reason you hear about it with regard to cruise ships is because they
are the only ones required to report gastrointestinal illness to the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hotels don't have to report
it neither do airlines, universities or hospitals!
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On cruise ships, the illness is typically spread through
person-to-person contact by touching surfaces that someone with the
virus previously had contact with, not from the food or water. So,
clients should heed their mothers advice and wash their hands! The
best way to prevent illness is to wash your hands thoroughly and
often with soap and warm water.
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What are the chances of getting norovirus? The CDC estimates that 23
million people in the U.S. or eight percent of the population
contract norovirus each year; thats 1 in 12 people. In contrast, far
less than one percent of all U.S. cruise guests are affected by
norovirus annually; that's 1 in 3,600 people. The few cruise guests
who experience symptoms should follow the guidance of the ships
medical staff to prevent the spread of the illness to fellow passengers.
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In addition to taking individual precautions, be assured that cruise
lines are vigilant in keeping a clean ship. Rigorous cleaning
procedures are in place to disinfect and sanitize public areas
including all door handles, railings, elevator buttons and slot
machine levers, to name just a few. In fact, according to the CDC,
cruise lines have the highest sanitation standards in the world!
Did
you know:
•That nine out of 10 outbreaks of norovirus take place at
land-based locations, such as schools, daycare centers, hospitals and
nursing homes?
•That in 2008, CLIA ships received an average Center for Disease
Control sanitation score of just above 97, surpassing the minimum
inspection score of 85?
•That cruise line waste management and recycling programs are
more stringent than those in most cities and ports?
•That each cruise ship has more than 60 safety, environmental
and health inspections each year?
•That, as CLIA ships visit ports in countries around the world,
they comply with a complex framework of flag state regulations
(countries where ships are registered) and port state regulations
(countries where ships visit, such as the U.S.)?
Should you seek additional information, including more
information on norovirus, tips for staying healthy on a cruise and
proper hand-washing techniques, please visit the CDC Vessel
Sanitation Program Web site at http://members.travelagentpromos10.com/mail/public/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnceh%2Fvsp&aid=8619&ceid=2008494561
or http://members.travelagentpromos10.com/mail/public/redir.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2F&aid=8619&ceid=2008494561. |
