Another Ship Illness In The News! What's Going On?

[BuzzMan]

Here is a link to a news story about Norwalk virus from an Orlando TV station web site.

Norwalk Virus News Story

It addresses land based vs sea based outbreaks and specifically mentions the Disney Magic situation from, I believe, a couple of years ago.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Good article, BuzzMan. Scary to think, though, that they can clean as much as they want and all it takes is one infected bonehead to come along and touch everything after not washing after restroom use, and all bets are off again.

BTW, ladies are just as guilty as the men in not washing hands after bathroom use (well, ok, almost as guilty ). I was in WDW last week and used many public restrooms. Saw lots of women running right out the door without washing, too.

Come on, people, let's use common sense and good hygeine practices for Pete's sake...

 

[invaderzim]

I am always seeing women (and sometimes with children) coming directly out of the stalls and going out the door! Which is one big reason why I always use a paper towel to open the door to leave! Yikes

 

[BuzzMan]

Okay, just out of curiosity, I did a Google search for "Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships" and came up with the listing from the CDC of all reported outbreaks on cruise ships. They are listed by year, ship name, cruise line and sailing dates.
I did find it interesting that there were no listings for DCL for any year, that I could find. So, either they aren't being reported as an outbreak or there haven't been any outbreaks.
It seemed the cruise lines with the most outbreaks listed were Holland America, Royal Carribean and Princess, although I didn't count specific numbers of outbreaks.

Here is a link to a November 2002 CNN web site article about the Norwalk outbreak on the Magic and how it was handled.

Norwalk Outbreak On The Disney Magic - 2002

 

[gshoemate]

Well, we just got home from our 3 day yesterday and I am sick as a dog. And yes, I washed my hands constantly. But I saw lots of people that did not. Oh well, I should just be thankful that my symptoms didn't start until yesterday morning as we were leaving the boat.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

Disney is excellent about having antibacterial wipes at the front of every restaurant, hand sanitizer before you board the ship after being in port, signs everywhere etc.

Unfortunately when you get that many people together, illness is going to spread. We could not believe how many people were coughing in the theaters during the shows every night. Also, all of the coughing/wheezing/sneezing and nose blowing in the theater during the early morning immigration meeting was downright gross. But it couldn't be helped much I guess.

The clubs were also great about having the kids wash their hands as soon as they got there, before eating and after activities. Even with all this, our friends' daughter came down with croup on the last day of our seven day cruise and after leaving this past Saturday, our own daughter was sent home from school today with a 104 degree fever.

All you can do is wash your hands a lot, keep them away from your face and try and turn your head when everyone is coughing all around you.

At least our daughter made it home before she came down with illness!

 

[LuvThatMouse]

Here is a link to a news story about Norwalk virus from an Orlando TV station web site.

Norwalk Virus News Story

It addresses land based vs sea based outbreaks and specifically mentions the Disney Magic situation from, I believe, a couple of years ago.

Interesting...I wonder why they aren't listed on the Center for Disease Control with the other cruise lines?

 

[LuvThatMouse]

The clubs were also great about having the kids wash their hands as soon as they got there, before eating and after activities.

I am thrilled beyond belief that they are doing this. We really stress hand washing at home. Glad to know that at least in the Oceaneer's Club someone is making sure children wash their hands.

 

[mickeyfanmom]

I am thrilled beyond belief that they are doing this. We really stress hand washing at home. Glad to know that at least in the Oceaneer's Club someone is making sure children wash their hands.

Yes they were very, very vigilant about this in the Oceaneer's Club and Lab!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Disney is excellent about having antibacterial wipes at the front of every restaurant, hand sanitizer before you board the ship after being in port, signs everywhere etc.

Hand sanitizer before you board is something new since we last cruised. Glad to see they're making strides in trying to prevent the spread of infection. I think the Purell wall dispensers placed all around the ship (like we have in the hospital) would be a good way to help prevent the spread of disease. Granted, it wouldn't be very visually appealing, but who cares if it would curb these outbreaks?

 

[4formickey]

the people thatneed to read these comments are not going to read them. If you see some one not washing just make a comment to your kids like (make sure you wash your hands dear,Wash real good so that no one will get sick, or some thing like that) . Maybe this will help some people to change just a little.