January 6, 2004
Tips
to Reduce Risk of ‘Cruise Ship Virus’
CHICAGO ---
Before you leave for that winter cruise, experts from the Travel
Medicine & Immunization Center at the Northwestern
Medical Faculty Foundation would like to have a few words with
you: Viral gastroenteritis. Norwalk virus. “Cruise ship virus.”
Viral gastroenteritis is an infection that causes inflammation
of the stomach and small and large intestines. The symptoms include
nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses are the most common causes of
outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis on cruise ships, and are second
only to the common cold in the number of people they make ill each
year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC reported
24 outbreaks of cruise-acquired viral gastroenteritis on 17 cruise
ships in 2002. About 75 percent of the outbreaks of “cruise
ship virus” were caused by Norwalk-like viruses, the CDC
confirmed. Through October 2003, there have been at least 26 reported
outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis on cruise ships.
“We must educate cruise passengers about this disease,
its causes and preventive measures to avoid catching the viruses
that cause viral gastroenteritis,” said Teresa Zembower,
M.D., infectious disease specialist and medical director of the
Travel Medicine and Immunization Center at Northwestern.
In addition
to nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea, symptoms of “cruise ship virus” include
fever, stomachache and headache. The symptoms usually start one
to two days after viral
infection and can last from one to 10 days.
Most people who become sick with viral gastroenteritis recover
quickly and have no further problems. However, for the elderly,
children and those with compromised immune systems, the illness
can be more severe and require medical care to treat dehydration.
Viral gastroenteritis is contagious much like colds or flu and
can be spread from person to person; through ingestion of contaminated
food or water; through contact with contaminated surfaces; and
by contaminated hands through the fecal-oral route.
It is critical
to control the “cruise ship virus” at
the first sign of a suspected outbreak, Zembower said. Control
measures include: frequent, rigorous hand washing with soap and
water and strict attention to basic food and water sanitation measures.
Cruise ships must receive thorough and prompt disinfection using
freshly prepared chlorine solutions, phenol-based compounds and
accelerated hydrogen peroxide products; ill crew members must be
isolated; and passengers must be isolated for 72 hours after they
have recovered from the illness.
While there are no specific medications or vaccinations for the
Norwalk-like viruses that cause viral gastroenteritis, there are
ways to lessen risk for dehydration and associated complications.
Families with
infants and young children should keep a supply of oral rehydration
solution (e.g., Pedialyte®) on hand to
be administered at the first sign of diarrhea.
Antibiotics should be avoided unless specifically recommended
by a physician.
The Travel
Medicine & Immunization Center at the Northwestern
Medical Faculty Foundation specializes in the prevention of travel-related
and vaccine-preventable illnesses. The center’s mission is
to help patients stay healthy while traveling abroad through individualized
consultation with experienced travel experts. The center also provides
consultations and medical referrals if illnesses arise after the
traveler returns home.
For information
on the Travel Medicine & Immunization Center,
call (312) 695-1888 or see http://www.nmff.org/travelmedicine. |