Gastrointestinal outbreaks have hit passengers and crew aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 cruise liner, casting a shadow over holiday voyages. The two consecutive sailings had brought with them numerous cases of illness, which prompted extensive sanitation measures to contain the spread.
The first case was identified on a transatlantic crossing earlier in December when passengers were complaining of symptoms similar to norovirus, which is highly contagious and has symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The officials at Cunard confirmed the outbreak after notifying health authorities and imposing strict protocols to limit the spread.
Despite these precautions, symptoms of a similar nature reappeared during the succeeding cruise, both among passengers and crew members. It had not been eradicated. Cases indicate that hundreds of individuals fell ill during the two cruises, though no exact figures are known.
For many passengers, this outbreak was a disruption to the holiday they had planned. Some were confined to their cabin for days because of the severe symptoms. The crew, too, was affected, leaving the ship with staffing problems which impacted the operations and the services of the ship.
Cunard, a luxury cruise line famous for its iconic ships, has responded to the situation by increasing cleaning and disinfection efforts across the Queen Mary 2. Public areas, dining spaces, and high-touch surfaces have been subject to rigorous sanitation procedures, and hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the ship.
Passengers were sensitized with health messages to frequently wash their hands, and those who did not feel well were cautioned not to make close contact. This cruise line has engaged other health agencies to trace the origins of this outbreak, followed by an assurance to enforce health and safety rules.
This norovirus, commonly referred to as the “stomach bug,” is the leading cause of gastrointestinal illnesses that arise, mostly in crowded places like cruise ships. This is usually caused by contaminated food or surfaces and by direct contact with the individual infected with it. The symptoms usually last between 24 to 48 hours but are indeed crippling to seniors and immuno-compromised people.
The confined nature of a cruise ship environment can make it especially challenging to control an outbreak because the virus spreads very fast in close quarters.
Many of the passengers expressed frustration at having to endure repeated outbreaks and were questioning whether the ship should have been taken out of service for deeper cleaning after the first incident. Others were complimentary of the crew for trying to control the situation under very trying circumstances.
The back-to-back gastrointestinal outbreaks on the Queen Mary 2 highlight the vulnerabilities cruise ships face in preventing and controlling contagious illnesses. As Cunard works to restore passenger confidence, the incidents remind the industry of the importance of strict health measures. Passengers planning future sailings should stay informed and take precautions to minimize their risk of illness.
