Investigation Update on the Zuiderdam

Cruise Line: Holland America Line

Cruise Ship: Zuiderdam

Voyage Dates: 10/23-11/9

Number of ill passengers out of total number of passengers: 262 of 1820 (14.4%)

Number of ill crew out of total number of crew: 17 of 794 (2.14%)

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 and sent additional staff to board the ship to support these measures;
• sent public health staff to ship to assist outbreak management and control;
• delayed the time of embarkation in order to conduct additional cleaning and disinfection;
• collected stool specimens for analysis;
• continued to send daily updates to CDC and until the number of ill people returned to expected levels.

On November 9th, VSP staff boarded the ship to conduct a targeted environmental health assessment and make recommendations.

During the following voyage the number of ill people returned to expected levels (sailing dates: 11/9-11/19).