Illness outbreak Americas Glacier Bay · 7 May 2023
Virus Outbreaks (Norovirus) on ms Nieuw Amsterdam on May 2023
2,797
Key facts
- Vessel
- ms Nieuw Amsterdam
- Operator
- Holland America Line
- Type
- Ocean cruise ship
- Capacity
- ~2,527 passengers + 826 crew
- Flag/Registry
- The Netherlands
- Route
- 14-day "Great Alaskan Explorer Cruise" roundtrip from Vancouver
- Ports of call
- Kodiak Island, Anchorage/Denali National Park, Valdez, Glacier Bay, Sitka/Baranof Island, Ketchikan/Revillagi…
- Departure
- 7 May 2023
- Return
- 21 May 2023
- On board
- 1,971 passengers and 826 crew
- Deaths
- None reported
What happened
In May 2023, the ms Nieuw Amsterdam experienced a significant norovirus outbreak during a 14-day "Great Alaskan Explorer Cruise" roundtrip from Vancouver (7–21 May 2023). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 246 passengers (12.4% of 1,971 onboard) and 38 crew members (4.6% of 826 onboard) contracted the virus, with vomiting and diarrhea as the predominant symptoms.
All affected passengers and crew were immediately quarantined to their staterooms. The outbreak was contained through isolation protocols and did not result in fatalities or serious complications requiring evacuation.
Details of the outbreak
The norovirus spread among passengers and crew during the vessel's voyage through Alaskan and British Columbian waters. Symptomatic individuals were confined to their cabins to prevent further transmission. The outbreak was detected and reported to the CDC, which documented the infection rates and clinical presentation across the affected population.
Passengers and crew
Passengers
- 1,971 onboard; 246 infected (12.4%).
Crew
- 826 onboard; 38 infected (4.6%).
Casualties
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- None reported. All affected individuals experienced gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea) consistent with norovirus infection.
Rescued
- No evacuation required. All infected passengers and crew remained onboard and were quarantined in their staterooms.
Emergency response
Holland America Line implemented isolation protocols, confining all symptomatic passengers and crew to their cabins to prevent further transmission. The outbreak was reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which investigated and documented the incident as part of its maritime disease surveillance program.
Current status
The outbreak was contained through quarantine measures. The vessel completed its scheduled itinerary and returned to Vancouver on 21 May 2023. The CDC's investigation and reporting of the incident contributed to ongoing maritime health and safety protocols for cruise operators.
If you were on board
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