Investigation Update on the Radiance of the Seas

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Cruise Ship: Radiance of the Seas

Voyage Dates: 01/03 - 01/08

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 150 of 2336 (6.42%)

Number of ill crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 3 of 861 (0.35%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

Causative agent: Norovirus

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Royal Caribbean Cruise 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 onboard passengers of the outbreak and encourage case reporting
• Are preparing the ships disembarkation infection barrier plan for arrival in Tampa, FL
• Submitted to VSP their response and ship disinfection plans
• Collecting 10 stool specimens for submission to the CDC lab
• Making twice daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP

Two CDC Vessel Sanitation Program public health inspectors and one epidemiologist will board the ship on arrival in Tampa to evaluate the outbreak and response activities.