Investigation Update on the Coral Princess

Cruise Line: Princess Cruises

Cruise Ship: Coral Princess

Voyage Dates: 04/24 - 05/4

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 66 of 1,507 (4.38%)

Number of ill crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 3 of 874 (0.34%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea

Causative agent: Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Princess Cruises 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
• Provide full service at all buffet and self-service food outlets
• Preparing a ship turnaround disinfection plan for the Fort Lauderdale arrival 4 May, and will submit to VSP for review
• Collected 5 stool specimens from ill passengers and crew for submission to the CDC lab (onboard Norovirus analysis was negative)
• Making daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP

Three CDC Vessel Sanitation Program public health inspectors will board the ship on arrival in Ft. Lauderdale to evaluate the outbreak and response activities onboard.