In a recent incident aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship, over 100 passengers experienced a gastrointestinal illness outbreak. The Celebrity Eclipse, carrying 3,042 guests, finished its voyage on December 28, shortly after reports of illnesses surfaced. Among the afflicted were 95 passengers and nine crew members, who suffered from symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
Details of the Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the precise cause of the outbreak remains unknown. This incident marks another addition to the CDC’s tracking of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships.
Statistics on Cruise-Related Illnesses
- The CDC has documented 22 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness in 2023 that warranted public notification.
- 16 of those outbreaks were attributed to norovirus.
- In 2024, norovirus accounted for 15 of the 18 reported cruise-related outbreaks.
- In the previous year, it was involved in 13 out of 14 such outbreaks.
Response to the Outbreak
In response to the outbreak, Celebrity Cruises implemented several measures. The cruise line initiated thorough disinfection and cleaning protocols. Furthermore, the company took steps to isolate affected passengers and crew members to prevent further spread of illness.
Context of Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreaks
While cruise ships are often highlighted in reports of gastrointestinal illnesses, it is essential to note that these cases represent only a small fraction of overall outbreaks. Only 1% of reported gastrointestinal outbreaks occur on cruise ships.
According to Sarah R. Michaels, an assistant professor at Tulane University, many outbreaks originate in communities. In environments where people are in close quarters, such as day care centers and nursing homes, illnesses are more likely to be identified and reported.
The Celebrity Eclipse was engaged in an eight-day round-trip cruise to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale at the time of the outbreak. Celebrity Cruises has not yet provided a public statement regarding this incident.
