Investigation Update on the Volendam

Cruise Line: Holland America Line

Cruise Ship: Volendam

Voyage Dates: 1/2-1/12

Number of ill passengers out of total number of passengers: 85 of 1451 (5.86%)

Number of ill crew out of total number of crew: 7 of 608 (1.15%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Holland America Line and the crew aboard the ship took the following actions:

• increased cleaning and disinfection procedures,
• sent senior environmental health specialists for additional support;
• sent additional staff to support the increased cleaning and disinfection;
• collected stool specimens for analysis;
• delayed the time of embarkation;
• sent daily updates to CDC until the number of ill people returned to expected levels.

On January 12th, VSP staff boarded the ship to conduct a targeted environmental health assessment and make recommendations. During the following voyage (sailing dates 1/12-1/22) the number of ill people returned to expected levels. The voyage subsequent to that one (sailing dates 1/22-2/1), the number of people that reported being ill increased; VSP continued to monitor the ship until the numbers returned and remained at expected levels again (voyage with sailing dates: 2/1-2/11).