Investigation Update on the Celebrity Mercury

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises

Cruise Ship: Celebrity Mercury

Voyage Dates: 2/28-3/15

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers: 113 of 1862 (6.1%)

Number of ill crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew: 6 of 834 (0.72%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Celebrity Cruises and the crew aboard the ship took the following actions:

• increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak response plan,
• is sending twice daily updates to CDC,
• notified passengers onboard the ship,
• sent a public health specialist to the ship for additional support,
• collected stool specimens for analysis,

Celebrity Cruises will continue to make reports to CDC through the remainder of the voyage.On March 15th, VSP staff will board the ship to do a targeted environmental health assessment and make recommendations. CDC will continue to provide support to the ship until the number of ill people returns to expected levels.