Rubella warning for August Wonder cruisers

[Magnetic]

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

 

[wovenwonder]

YIKES! That is scary!

 

[minniegidget]

I was just logging on to say the same thing. I am going on the 3 day Wonder on Aug 22. Iam starting to think that someone or something is tell me to stay home. 1st i thought I broke my foot on Saturday (not broke) now this. But Iam not going to flet it stop me. Iam going and Iam going to have fun. Magnetic guess I ll see you there. If you want to meet we can try to say hi sometime during the cruise.

 

[Michelle]

Hmm, guess that's what FedEx tried to deliver to me today when I wasn't home, I'm on that sailing too.

I'm not concerned, I got the rubella vaccine long ago and it has been part of routine immunizations for 20 years.

It does make sense to warn pregnant woman and parents of children who may not be fully immunized, though. I'm glad to see DCL taking the extra step to warn folks.

 

[minniegidget]

Michelle you are going on Aug 22? Is there going to be a Dis meeting on the ship for that date. I have read lots about them and they seem to be fun meeting everyone so you can put on face tho a name. If there is when and were is it.

 

[Michelle]

Minniegidget, I'm actually on a working cruise for TAs this cruise so unfortunately I'm not involved in any DIS meets on this trip. Any DISer can set them up, though, so feel free if you want to meet your fellow cruisers!

 

[Jeannie]

We're also on the August 22 sailing, but no FedEx letters here.

 

[Kelsie]

My sister leaves tomorrow and is on the Wonder Sunday with her 17 month old Grand Daughter. No one has contacted her. I let her know about this thread.

 

[my3kids]

Do you think the crew was required to be vaccinated for all diseases American children typically receive vaccines for? While the whole series are required for school here, are they in other countries? Is it possible that a number of staff could have become infected b/c they hadn't been immunized as children?

I would guess if they had not previously been immunized, that they would receive them prior to placement on the ship. Anyone know for sure?

There was an incidence of Diptheria (whooping cough) in my state this year. Several teens who had not been immunized along with an adult or 2 that had not received vaccinations as children came down with that disease.

 

[AnnMorin]

I just took a job teaching preschool and had to be re-immunized with the MMR vaccine as my pediatric records are long ago tossed.
The main concern with rubella is in pregnant women as it can do great harm to a fetus, in fact I had to be sure I was not pregnant or attempting to be pregnant before I could get the shot. I think Disney is just trying to cover their bases, it would be terrible if a mom to be contracted it on their ship and the child was damaged. Most adults and american children are already immune to rubella from past vacines, and if you have had a child already your OBGYN would have run a titler test to prove immunity with your early blood work so I would not be too concerned. Ann

 

[Rootee]

My sister leaves tomorrow and is on the Wonder Sunday with her 17 month old Grand Daughter. No one has contacted her. I let her know about this thread.

There is no need to contact anyone who was not on that specific cruise. The "ship" is not infected, just one individual on a previous cruise. Anyone who had had rubella or had been vaccinated previously would generally have no concern even if they had been on the cruise at that time. The concern is mostly for pregnant mothers on that specific cruise who have not been vaccinated. In general, rubella is a rather mild disease for otherwise healthy people, but exposure in pregnancy *when one has NOT had the disease or been vaccinated* poses a very large (upwards of 50%) possibility of very serious birth defects.

Ruth

Yikes, I need to PACK!!

 

[my3kids]

But Rootee, didn't the letter go to people cruising on future ships? While the ship isn't infected, I would worry that because of the up to 23 day incubation period, staff who were not immune could come down with the disease on a future cruise, thus infecting non immune guests or staff.

I agree, most American children are immune because of vacinations. But the MMR isn't given until 15 months of age, and if a child had not ever received their childhood vaccines, they could be at risk on later cruises.

 

[wovenwonder]

But Rootee, didn't the letter go to people cruising on future ships? While the ship isn't infected, I would worry that because of the up to 23 day incubation period, staff who were not immune could come down with the disease on a future cruise, thus infecting non immune guests or staff.

I agree, most American children are immune because of vacinations. But the MMR isn't given until 15 months of age, and if a child had not ever received their childhood vaccines, they could be at risk on later cruises

Yes -- I believe you are correct -- and because of that I would worry if I had an infant or was pregnant. I wonder if DCL requires all the staff to be vacinated according to US guidelines prior to employment. If not -- it could spread for quite some time.

 

[Kelsie]

Originally posted by Rootee


There is no need to contact anyone who was not on that specific cruise. The "ship" is not infected, just one individual on a previous cruise. Anyone who had had rubella or had been vaccinated previously would generally have no concern even if they had been on the cruise at that time. The concern is mostly for pregnant mothers on that specific cruise who have not been vaccinated. In general, rubella is a rather mild disease for otherwise healthy people, but exposure in pregnancy *when one has NOT had the disease or been vaccinated* poses a very large (upwards of 50%) possibility of very serious birth defects.

Ruth

Yikes, I need to PACK!!

I think the issue is that they DID send the letter to future August cruisers. Just thought my Sister and her Family needed to know.

Now, get that packing done!

 

[npall]

Just wanted to throw something in...

When I was little I got the MMR vaccine like every child in the US. A couple of years ago when I was pregnant and they ran the standard test to see if I had been vaccinated ( I don't know what the test is called) it came back that I was not immune to Rubella.

My OB told me to be careful while I was pregnant for all the reasons already stated here. What is interesting is that I had been vaccinated as a child, the Dr. told me that in some people, after a period of time they need a booster shot because they lose the immunization. That is what happened to me.

After I delivered I got my shot and she told me to make sure I did not get pregnant for 6 months.


Just wanted to pass this tidbit along.

Naomi

 

[Rootee]

Wow, in my haste I did not see that they are sounding the alarm for future cruises coming up. Yes, it does sound like it was staff that was involved.

The worrisome thing here is for the very newly pregnant women (might not even know of their condition) who have NOT received immunity either through disease or vaccination.

If it will give any comfort to any involved, here is a quote from a professional textbook I use in my work:

"Postnatal (rubella) infection occurs infrequently in children less than 1 year of age because of passively acquired maternal antibodies. The predominant age of infection is 5 to 14 years old, and more than half of those with infections are asymptomatic. Postnatal rebella is a self-limited, mild viral infection associated with an evanescent rash, shotty adenopathy, and low-grade transient fever."

As for the toddler traveling soon - I would check with the pediatrician. The recommended time for MMR is between ages 12-15 mos I believe. Perhaps the doctor might consider giving this child this immunization now if it hasn't been done already. The comforting information is that rubella is not a very serious disease (except for pregnant women) in otherwise healthy individuals.

Ok, now I HAVE to pack!

Ruth

 

[mlshields]

FYI - I received my MMR shot in 1965. When I decided to go to college in '83 I had to be re-vaccinated due to the fact that the shots we were given back in the 50's and '60's didn't all carry the same amount of Live virus. So therefore, some people were no longer immune.

 

[Mop]

They also sent this letter to cruisers on the previous cruise (Aug 1-4). I don't know if it is contagious while in the incubation period, but they did send the letter out to let those cruisers know. Just an FYI for those on earlier cruisers that may not have gotten the info.