Investigation Update on the Maasdam

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Cruise Line: Holland America Line

Cruise Ship: Maasdam

Voyage Dates: 02/19 – 03/05

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers: 168 of 1,211 (13.87%)

Number of crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew: 19 of 559 (3.40%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

Causative agent: Norovirus

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Holland America Line and the crew aboard the ship have taken the following actions:

Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan,
Made announcements to both notify passengers and encourage case reporting
Have a 50 person contract cleaning/disinfection team meeting the ship in Ft. Lauderdale
Submitted to VSP their response and port turnaround disinfection plans
Collected 10 stool specimens for submission to the CDC lab
Making daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP

Two CDC public health staff will meet the ship on arrival in Ft. Lauderdale to evaluate the outbreak and response activities.