Hong Kong authorities boarded the Holland America Line’s Westerdam after a stool sample tested positive for norovirus.
Norovirus: Symptoms and prevention of “stomach cold”
The following are symptoms to be aware of and preventive measures to be taken if the number of norovirus infections increases rapidly.
Hong Kong health authorities have announced that a “suspected norovirus outbreak” has occurred on a Holland America Line cruise ship, with nearly 80 people becoming ill.
The Center for Health Protection boarded the cruise line’s Westerdam ship on March 1 to investigate, according to a news release. Of the approximately 2,800 passengers on board, 65 passengers and 11 crew members developed symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. These included diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
The ship left Yokohama, near Tokyo, on February 15th.
Stool samples from seven patients tested positive for norovirus. “The CHP’s Public Health Laboratory Services Division will conduct further tests on the relevant samples,” the health authority said.
Holland America told USA TODAY that during the ship’s previous voyage, “a number of guests reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.”
“Most cases were mild and recovered quickly,” the cruise line said in an emailed statement. “As a precautionary measure and in line with our standard protocols, we have implemented enhanced hygiene procedures and conducted additional deep cleaning when the ship completed its voyage in Hong Kong.”
These cases were not under the jurisdiction of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Ship Hygiene Program, which handles international voyages that call at U.S. ports. “Given the current high levels of norovirus activity in some tourist destinations, particularly in neighboring regions such as Japan and South Korea, where activity has increased since late last year, we urge cross-border cruise passengers and operators to take special precautions for personal, food, and environmental hygiene to protect personal health and public health,” CHP Administrator Dr. Edwin Tsui said in a statement.
The CDC records one gastrointestinal illness outbreak on a cruise ship that meets publication criteria by 2026. Last year there were 23 outbreaks, 17 of which were caused by norovirus, and 15 of the 18 total outbreaks in 2024 were caused by norovirus.
Norovirus is often associated with cruise ships, but it only accounts for 1% of all reported outbreaks.
“(Epidemics) often happen within communities, and we often don’t realize it’s happening,” Sarah R. Michaels, an assistant professor at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, previously told USA TODAY. “In fact, areas where people are in close contact, such as day care facilities, nursing homes, and cruise ships, are more likely to be diagnosed, reported, and brought to our attention.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
