At a glance
Learn about the gastrointestinal illness outbreak on the Lindblad Expeditions ship National Geographic Sea Bird, including outbreak details and actions taken in response.
Update
Due to continued cases, VSP is conducting a field response for an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to assist the ship in controlling the outbreak on subsequent voyages:
- May 31, 2026–June 5, 2026 (voyage number SB3262)
- June 5, 2026–June 10, 2026 (voyage number SB3263)
VSP continues to work closely with the National Geographic Sea Bird and with the Alaska Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation.
Outbreak details
Cruise ship: National Geographic Sea Bird
Voyage dates: May 26, 2026–May 31, 2026
Voyage number: SB32621
Date outbreak reported to VSP: May 28, 2026
Final case counts:
- Number of passengers who reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 9 of 66 (13.6%)
- Number of crew who reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 3 of 24 (12.5%)
Predominant symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea
Causative agent: norovirus
Actions in response to the outbreak
In response to the outbreak, Lindblad Expeditions and the crew aboard the ship reported the following actions:
- Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan
- Isolated ill passengers and crew
- Consulted with VSP about sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting ill cases
VSP remotely monitored the situation, including review of the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures.
More information
Tracking gastrointestinal illnesses
Gastrointestinal (GI) illness is a commonly used term for acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Reporting gastrointestinal illness is important. When passengers and crew tell the medical center onboard about their symptoms, it helps GI illness outbreaks get detected quickly. This allows steps to be taken to limit the spread of illness. Medical staff evaluate symptoms to see if they meet our case definition for AGE:
- Three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period or what is more than normal for that person OR
- Vomiting along with one of the following symptoms: diarrhea, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramp, or fever
Cruise ships are required to report these cases to us.
Note: Cases reported are totals for the entire voyage. It does not mean all people are sick at the same time, such as when they arrive or leave a port or ship.
Learn more about AGE monitoring and how VSP responds to AGE outbreaks.