Investigation Update on the Norwegian Gem

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruise Ship: Norwegian Gem

Voyage Dates: March 12-22, 2016

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 128 of 2,882 (4.44%)

Number of crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 7 of 1,100 (0.64%)

Predominant symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea

Causative agent: Norovirus

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Norwegian Cruise Line and the crew aboard the ship reported the following actions:

• Increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan,
• Collecting stool specimens from passenger and crew gastrointestinal illness cases for testing,
• Making multiple daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP,
• Consulting with CDC on plans for their comprehensive sanitation procedures in New York City, NY, including:
  • planning staged disembarkation for active cases to limit the opportunity of illness transmission to well guests, and
  • planning for sanitation of terminal and transport infection control procedures

CDC Vessel Sanitation Program is monitoring the outbreak and the ship’s response procedures. Specimens have been collected and tested onboard using a norovirus rapid test; results were positive for norovirus. The specimens will be sent to CDC for additional testing.