Illness outbreak Europe Transatlantic route from Reykjavik · 6 June 2023
Virus Outbreaks (Norovirus) on Viking Neptune on June 2023
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What happened
In June 2023, the Viking Ocean cruise vessel Viking Neptune experienced an epidemic norovirus outbreak during a 14-day Transatlantic voyage from Reykjavik, Iceland to New York (Cape Liberty, Bayonne, NJ), departing 6 June and arriving 20 June. A total of 110 passengers (13.1% of 838 onboard) and 9 crew members (2.0% of 455 onboard) were affected, presenting with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The outbreak was reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Details of the outbreak
The norovirus outbreak manifested during the vessel's 14-day itinerary, which included port calls at Heimaey Island, Djupivogur, Seydisfjordur, Akureyri, and Isafjordur in Iceland; Nanortalik and Qaqortoq in Greenland; and L'Anse aux Meadows and Halifax in Canada. The predominant symptoms reported among affected passengers and crew were abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The outbreak was identified and documented by the CDC during the voyage.
Passengers and crew
Passengers
- 838 onboard; 110 affected by norovirus (13.1%)
Crew
- 455 onboard; 9 affected by norovirus (2.0%)
Casualties
Fatalities
- None reported.
Injuries
- 110 passengers and 9 crew members experienced gastrointestinal illness with symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Rescued
- All passengers and crew remained onboard and completed the voyage to New York.
Investigation
The outbreak was identified and documented by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the voyage. The CDC classified the event as an epidemic norovirus outbreak based on the number of affected passengers and crew and the clinical presentation of symptoms.