And it begins again...

[LibertyBelle]

Just saw on the local Orlando News that the Carnival Legend is arriving back in Ft Lauderdale this morning with some type of Norwalk virus. Here is a story I found on another cruise board... can't find a link yet to my new station:

Passengers Fall Ill On Cruise Ship FORT LAUDERDALE -- A cruise vacation ruined when several passengers get sick at sea.

Carnival Cruise Lines "Legend" set sail from Port Everglades Friday-- only to have dozens of passengers fall ill.

About 100 people sick with a stomach virus.

The CDC does not yet consider it an outbreak and will not force the ship back into port.

Sick passengers are however being asked to stay in their cabins.

"Legend" is due back at Port Everglades today.

 

[AnnMorin]

Purell, purell purell,,!! I already have my six mini bottles to keep in pockets, just wash your hands and sanitize and you will be fine!

 

[ThreeCircles]

I wonder why outbreaks of the flu and other viruses don't generate as much interest when they're on land?

I understand that there may be some concern as to something like this wrecking havoc on one's vacation but, one should keep in mind that this thing is preventable. It is not an airborne virus. If you use good sanitary and personal hygiene habits, you're not going to get sick. It's really that simple.

 

[Cruisin]

There are also outbreaks of this sort in schools, factories, etc.
They don't close down those sorts of places because of it, or write newspaper stories very often either.

 

[goodfaerie]

I am freaking out! Our cruise is next Saturday! Are they going to cancel it????


GF

 

[AnnMorin]

Originally posted by goodfaerie
I am freaking out! Our cruise is next Saturday! Are they going to cancel it????


GF

No of course not! That only happend once and that was to break the cycle on the ship as each week more and more people were getting ill. DCL now knows exactly what to do to prevent outbreaks. You will be fine. Just was your hands and use purell. Really, last year there were many people ill on our cruise- BUT there were MANY MANY more that were fine.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Here is the link from the Palm Beach post below.......

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/ap/FL_Sick_Cruise.html

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

I guess we should add Lysol to the list, if someone else hasn't already --

 

[goodfaerie]

Adding Lysol to the list--it just occurred to me--even though they clean the staterooms, it will be a good idea to Lysol things--like the phone and the bathroom and the door handles. I never used to be germ phobic, but I'm thinkin, better safe than puking my guts out three days into my cruise.

Happy, Healthy cruising, everyone!

GoodFaerie

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by goodfaerie
I never used to be germ phobic, but I'm thinkin, better safe than puking my guts out three days into my cruise.

..............

 

[ivanova]

we just got off the Wonder on 11/20 & during our cruise noticed that that the stateroom hosts change latex gloves after cleaning each stateroom ... that was rather reassuring to see.

 

[goodfaerie]

Ivanova--that's great, but are they using the same sponges and cleaning cloths room after room? The gloves won't matter if they are.

Change my name to SterileFaerie LOL

 

[gonna go cruising]

Clorox wipes are a good idea. We took them on ours and as soon as our luggage arrived with the wipes in them, we went to work wiping down every surface in the room that we would come in contact with. Door handles, faucet knobs, especially the toilet flush knob. Precautions are made by the cruise lines but a few more on your own will help reassure you. I dont see this as any more prevalent than the outbreaks we have in our school systems, etc.

Have fun, and just remind the kids to keep the hands away from their mouths until they can disinfect with antibacterials.

 

[ELIJAH'S GRANDPA]

OK people, here's a secret- IT"S WINTER AND IT'S FLU SEASON.
Woried about a cruise? Ask yourself, am I going to avoid the malls? The schools? Other crowed places? Work? I work in an ER, I figure a cruise will be safer. Good handwashing, common sense, and faith in your Higher Power and the mouse and remember, you can get sick at home too.
One nurse who's sailing 12/6,
John

 

[Jeanny]

yes, Elijah's Grandpa is correct along with everyone else.... This topic comes up A LOT.... it is not confined to just cruise ships, it's everywhere.

Keep your hands clean and away from your mouth....
Let someone else touch the elevator buttons....
Don't touch the handrails, walls, etc where little hands usually go and
Use a napkin or paper towel to open any door...

you'd be surprised at exactly how many people DON'T wash their
hands after going to the potty!!

get the purell ready and the antibacterial wipes... Jacqui and I just stocked up on the nice smelly packages at Bath & Body Works yesterday!! and the bottle of Lysol Wipes are already in my luggage!

Stay well everyone!
Hey Ann, there will be a nurse on your cruise, you'll have to find Elijah's Grandpa!!!

 

[AnnMorin]

I am on the 12/13 and he is on the 12/6!

 

[newms]

Hey- Elijah's Grandpa- so glad you'll be aboard on our cruise too. Great suggestions- plus I'm going to put my kids in the chlorine a lot. My ll year old will be cleaner than he's ever been.

 

[ELIJAH'S GRANDPA]

NEWMS,
I think you sail the day after me. I'm on the 7 day western cruise on the 6th. If you're on my cruise I have a link for you of others who are sailing and plan to meet. If you're on the 7th cruise, enjoy!
AnnMorin,
I almost stowed away the first time I cruised with disney. The last night of the cruise I was taking one last walking tour of the ship, up on the top deck, when another man asked if I was looking for a place to stow away because he was thinking the same thing.

 

[Cindyluwho]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
"I wonder why outbreaks of the flu and other viruses don't generate as much interest when they're on land?

I understand that there may be some concern as to something like this wrecking havoc on one's vacation but, one should keep in mind that this thing is preventable. It is not an airborne virus. If you use good sanitary and personal hygiene habits, you're not going to get sick. It's really that simple. "

ThreeCircles, I totally agree that it's odd that people don't worry as much about the flu. Especially considering that the flu is much more severe and much more deadly.

I have to disagree though with your statement regarding Norwalk being an airborne virus. The CDC had clearly stated, over and over, that the Norwalk Virus does indeed become airborne when someone vomits. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/rr5009.pdf

The good news is that if you keep your hands clean and away from your face (yes, I know that's almost impossible with little ones), you stand a good chance of keeping the NV away. If you're in a place with recycled air, like a cruise ship or airplane, it seems to help to lightly coat the inside of your nose with neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment. And it's so much fun to put the stuff in your nose, too!! Legal nose picking!!

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
I am on the 12/13 and he is on the 12/6!

whoops, looked at the wrong calendar!! oh well, maybe the nurse will get the ship sparkling clean of germs!!!