Passenger on the Disney Wonder had Rubella....

[wovenwonder]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=248548

Does anyone know if Cruise ships require their staff to receive the immunizations that we are required to get in the US? If not -- couldn't this get passed from one crew member to the other and possibly infect infant passengers and pregnant woman?



As posted by 'Magnetic' on the cruise board:

Rubella warning for August Wonder cruisers
We're booked on the Aug. 22nd Wonder cruise, and today I received a FedEx letter which states:

August 12, 2002

Dear Disney Wonder Guest,

Thank you for choosing a Disney Cruise Line vacation. We look forward to providing you with an enjoyable sailing.

During the August 4-8 sailing of the Disney Wonder, an individual tested positive for rubella (a.k.a. German measles).

We've been working very close with the U.S. Public Health Service on this incident. Although we understand that most American children are vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), the USPH recommended that we notify our guests of rubella's 23-day incubation period. Even though every precaution is being taken to prevent further cases, those guests who should pay particular attention, they tell us, are pregnant women, parents of infants under the age of 15 months and guests with suppressed immune systems.

If you have any questions whatsoever about rubella, please contact your doctor, local Public Health department or the National Immunization Information Line at (800)232-2522. If you have questions about your cruise, please don't hesitate to contact Disney Cruise Line toll-free at (866)869-8354.

Sincerely,

William Ernest
Vice President, Operations & Support
Disney Cruise Line

 

[Kermit]

The good news about pregnant women is that most doctors screen them to make sure they are immune to rubella. They'll do it before you start trying if you go to your OB/GYN then, or they'll do it at the first appointment if you don't. I imagine that if they tested you after you were pregnant and you weren't immune, they'd advise you not to travel outside of the US while pregnant. Nursing babies whose moms are immune should also be immune as well, so that leaves very few people who'd actually be at risk.

It is unfortunate that that happened, especially since Make a Wish sends kids on cruises. Prayers to all those families waiting to see if they're okay.

 

[Blondie]

The MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) is one of the immunizations offered by all doctors and Health Departments in the U.S. AND is required by most (if not all) schools as children enter Kindergarten.

It shouldn't be a problem, unless there were children on the ship that haven't been vaccinated, or a pregnant guest who isn't immune to Rubella (meaning she was never vaccinated, nor had she ever had Rubella as a child.)

There has also been an increase in the rate of Polio over in India.

I don't even want to think about what may happen if children whose parents opt out of vaccinating their children come into contact with a person who is visiting from India who may be carrying the Polio virus.

 

[Dodie]

Although this isn't the most important part of this story, it really bothers me that someone at the level of Vice President in the Disney organization, when writing a letter to the public of this much importance, cannot even use correct grammar:

We've been working very close with the U.S. Public Health Service on this incident.

 

[MNT568]

I have a friend that use to work for a cruise ship, all staff members have to have a physical examination before they begin working on the ship, this includes getting shots, blood teste, the whole works. My friend use to work 6 months on the ship - 2 months off - 6 months on. They have to have a medical exam before each tour, if they don't pass, they are not allowed back to work.

 

[minniecarousel]

hmmmm....another reason for parents to have their children immunized.