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Introduction
A norovirus outbreak has affected nearly 80 people aboard Holland America Line’s ms Zuiderdam cruise ship. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 74 passengers and 4 crew members experienced symptoms of the gastrointestinal illness during a voyage that began on December 4th, 2024.
Details of the Incident
The outbreak occurred on a cruise with 1,923 passengers onboard. The primary symptoms reported were vomiting and diarrhea. Holland America Line (HAL) confirmed that most cases were mild and resolved quickly.
Operational Context
In response to the outbreak, HAL implemented enhanced sanitation measures in coordination with the CDC to prevent further spread of the virus. Upon arrival in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the ms Zuiderdam will undergo a thorough disinfection process before its next voyage. Boarding times for the subsequent cruise have been adjusted to accommodate this extra cleaning.
The CDC noted that this incident is one of 12 gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024 that met the agency’s reporting threshold.