Investigation Update on the Norwegian Jewel

Cruise Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruise Ship: Norwegian Jewel

Voyage Dates: 10/8-10 /18

Number of ill passengers out of total number of passengers: 86 of 2098 (4.1%)

Number of ill crew out of total number of crew: 11 of 1084 (1.0%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

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

• increased cleaning and disinfection procedures,
• collected stool specimens for analysis,
• notified passengers aboard the ship,
• notified oncoming passengers,
• sent additional support to clean and disinfect the ship, and
• sent daily updates to CDC until the number of ill people returned to expected levels.

On October 18th, a team of VSP staff boarded the ship in New York  to conduct a targeted environmental health investigation and make recommendations. During the following voyage (sailing dates: 10/18-10/28), the level of illness decreased but was not at expected levels but by the next voyage (10/28-11/09), the number of ill people returned to expected levels.