Chickenpox and Streptococcus cases are reported on the current voyage of the cruise ship Mein Schiff 5 operated by TUI Cruises. The news was released by the popular German website “Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten” which has also released a photo of the letters distributed in the staterooms. All passengers on board received a letter from the shipboard personnel informing them that a child who had participated in the kid’s club program had contracted chickenpox.

One day later another letter was distributed in the cabins regarding the next outbreak, this time of streptococcus. Parents were informed that on Tuesday, February 27, a child participating in the kids club program was affected by Streptococci bacteria.

Both Chickenpox and Streptococcus are highly contagious and are not exactly what you want during a cruise. Children and infants are most vulnerable, especially in such a small closed environment as the kids club on board. There is a high risk that other children have been infected with the varicella-zoster virus. Parents were encouraged to closely monitor their children over the next few days and to visit the onboard infirmary for the smallest symptoms.

Mein Schiff 5 which has a capacity of 2540 passengers, is currently on a 14 Days cruise from Dubai to India.