Investigation Update on the Oriana

Investigation Update - March 4, 2004

P & O Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal illness on the cruise ship Oriana, which sailed from Barbados on February 20, 2004, and was destined for New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 5.

On March 2, P & O Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an unusual number of Oriana passengers were experiencing gastrointestinal illness. As of 10:15 a.m. EST on March 3, the ship’s medical staff reported that 65 of 1,793 (3.63%) passengers and 9 of 783 (1.15%) crew members were ill. Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, and P & O Cruise Line provided special daily reports to VSP throughout the next voyage; no significant levels of GI illnesses were reported. Stool specimens were collected and tested positive for norovirus.