The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports of a suspected norovirus outbreak on Oceania cruise ship, Regatta. According to the CDC official report, 21 out of 639 guests or (3.29%), and 1 crew member reported gastrointestinal symptoms during the current voyage.
Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in all public areas are implemented, according to the ships OPP (outbreak prevention and response plan). Other procedures recommended by CDC are currently implemented such as collecting specimens from infected passenger and crew for testing, reporting twice daily of the number of gastrointestinal illness cases to Vessel Sanitation Program. A Member of the cruise line public health team was sent to the cruise ship to assist. CDC Vessel Sanitation Program is monitoring the outbreak and the ship’s response procedures.
Oceania Regatta is currently on a 16-nights cruise sailing from Lima to Miami. The vessel is expected to reach Miami, Florida on April 14, where CDC officials will inspect the outbreak.