Outbreak of Gastrointestinal Illness on Alaska Cruise Ship
Health officials have confirmed another outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard an Alaska cruise ship, marking the third such incident in roughly two months. The National Geographic Sea Bird, managed by Lindblad Expeditions, reported this outbreak on July 12 during a trip from Sitka to Juneau, Alaska, which took place from July 10 to July 15.
This incident has been documented as the third outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on the vessel since late May, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the most recent case, 18 out of the 62 passengers—almost a third—reported feeling unwell, with vomiting being a primary symptom. As of Monday, the specific cause of this outbreak had not been identified.
The ship’s crew has taken steps to isolate the affected passengers and crew members while enhancing cleaning and disinfection protocols as outlined in their Outbreak Prevention and Response Plan. The CDC mentioned that even though norovirus often leads to such outbreaks on cruise ships, the source in this case remains uncertain.
“Identifying the pathogen responsible for the outbreak can be a time-consuming process,” stated the CDC.
Samples are currently undergoing confirmatory testing, and officials are closely monitoring the situation along with reviewing sanitary procedures on board.
Feedback from users on online platforms has been critical, with many expressing their concerns about the cruise experience. One individual suggested that thorough disinfection using bleach be administered throughout the ship. Another expressed frustration, noting that similar incidents seem to occur annually.
This outbreak follows a series of health-related events on cruise ships that have grabbed headlines recently. In April, a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius was linked to the deaths of three passengers, causing significant concern in the cruising community. Additionally, a norovirus outbreak on the Caribbean Princess affected over 100 individuals.
The National Geographic Sea Bird is a relatively small vessel, accommodating up to 62 passengers. Its unique design allows it to access narrow inlets and fjords filled with wildlife that larger vessels typically cannot reach.
