Cruise Illness Outbreak on Norwegian Dawn: Mauritius Denies Entry on 24 February 2024

On the evening of 24 February 2024, the cruise vessel Norwegian Dawn, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), was denied entry to Port Louis, Mauritius, by local maritime authorities due to concerns over a potential illness outbreak onboard. The vessel, carrying approximately 2,000 passengers, had altered its itinerary to arrive a day early in Mauritius after bypassing Reunion Island; however, Mauritian health officials imposed entry restrictions citing suspected cholera or gastrointestinal illness among passengers.

The incident occurred during a 12-day voyage from Port Louis to Cape Town, with planned stops in Reunion Island, Madagascar, and South Africa. The decision to deny entry reflected heightened disease-prevention protocols amid broader cholera outbreaks reported across southern Africa at the time.

During the voyage, 15 passengers exhibited mild gastrointestinal (GI) illness symptoms. Captain Hakan Svedung informed passengers of the potential cholera outbreak onboard and implemented heightened health precautions. The vessel had planned simultaneous disembarkation and embarkation in Port Louis on 24 February; however, Mauritian authorities denied port entry, and the operation was subsequently delayed until 27 February 2024.

Passengers

• Approximately 2,000 onboard at the time of the incident.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• 15 passengers exhibited mild gastrointestinal illness symptoms during the voyage.

Rescued

• No evacuation required; all passengers remained onboard pending port entry clearance.

Mauritian maritime authorities assessed the health risk and denied the vessel entry to Port Louis on 24 February 2024. Captain Svedung implemented onboard health precautions and informed passengers of the situation. The vessel remained offshore pending clearance, with disembarkation and embarkation rescheduled for 27 February 2024.

The vessel's port call to Mauritius was delayed by three days to allow for health assessment and clearance by local authorities. The itinerary adjustments reflected the operator's compliance with regional disease-prevention protocols during a period of heightened cholera risk across southern Africa.