Current Norovirus on some P&O ships

[cruising.mark.uk]

13 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

'However, norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships account for only a small percentage (1%) of all reported norovirus outbreaks.'

 

Seems to me that this is the most interesting element of the CDC piece.  It makes it even more irrational for so many online and in the media to get so exercised about norovirus cases on ships when any given individual is many more times likely to pick it up in their everyday life than they are when they go on a cruise.

[kalos]

36 minutes ago, LittleTinker said:

Many factors affect it such as ship layout and features

 Azura ? Crown Princess....Ventura ??? 🤔

[zap99]

47 minutes ago, LittleTinker said:

I didn't say it was exclusive to elderly.

It's more prevalent where more elderly visit in large numbers.

 

 

Must be rife on Saga then🤣

[nosapphire]

It seems to be called Norovirus when reported on cruise ships, but "the vomiting bug" when talking about schools (especially infant and nursery) or hospitals.

 

As far as I am aware, the "bug" is one that constantly changes, so nobody ever builds up a specific immunity, just that some bodies cope with it in a dramatic way, some more or less ignore it.

It can be dangerous for people who are generally frail because of the stress of constant vomiting and the risk of dehydration.

It has to be taken seriously in places that cannot simply be closed down, such as cruise ships, not least because the symptoms are almost identical to some other much nastier causes (e.coli, anybody?) so suspected Noro passengers get tested (good news if told "you've just eaten/drunk too much....)to make sure it is Noro.

Then, of course, the reports go out about cruise from hell...

 

 

[Funboy]

2 hours ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

 

Seems to me that this is the most interesting element of the CDC piece.  It makes it even more irrational for so many online and in the media to get so exercised about norovirus cases on ships when any given individual is many more times likely to pick it up in their everyday life than they are when they go on a cruise.

Sorry to disagree but when on a cruise you are in a confined space and also sharing utensils in the buffet when others are using the same implements. At home how often do you have perhaps hundreds of people sharing your implements, tables, chairs and space? You have outdoors to go to. You certainly have better hygene than on a cruise. You may pick it up in normal life if you mix with many others but on a ship you are always in a crowd and therefore have a much greater chance of picking up viruses and illness.

 

[Megabear2]

15 minutes ago, Funboy said:

Sorry to disagree but when on a cruise you are in a confined space and also sharing utensils in the buffet when others are using the same implements. At home how often do you have perhaps hundreds of people sharing your implements, tables, chairs and space? You have outdoors to go to. You certainly have better hygene than on a cruise. You may pick it up in normal life if you mix with many others but on a ship you are always in a crowd and therefore have a much greater chance of picking up viruses and illness.

 

However the figure, even taking all your fair points into account, is still only 1% of reported norovirus is on cruise ships which is actually good.

 

Obviously one or two ships encounter a more severe problem but overall the figure is remarkably low considering how many ships and passengers are at sea every day.

[terrierjohn]

36 minutes ago, Funboy said:

Sorry to disagree but when on a cruise you are in a confined space and also sharing utensils in the buffet when others are using the same implements. At home how often do you have perhaps hundreds of people sharing your implements, tables, chairs and space? You have outdoors to go to. You certainly have better hygene than on a cruise. You may pick it up in normal life if you mix with many others but on a ship you are always in a crowd and therefore have a much greater chance of picking up viruses and illness.

 

But people are most infectious when they have symptoms, which is when they should be quarantined in their cabins and should limit the spread of Noro.

So the paranoia about infected utensils is, IMO, overstated.

But if you feel you're under threat you can always avoid the self service restaurants.

Edited Saturday at 11:55 AM by terrierjohn

[Cheshire Blue]

3 hours ago, LittleTinker said:

We’re not hearing it about Arcadia and Aurora which really do attract an older demographic.

It was pretty bad on Arcadia in November.   

[FangedRose]

1 hour ago, Cheshire Blue said:

It was pretty bad on Arcadia in November.   

And on Aurora earlier this year.

[9265359]

2 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

So the paranoia about infected utensils is, IMO, overstated.

 

If you wanted a situation where infected people are touching things that others will then touch after washing their hands and then use their fingers to eat with without again washing their hands, then utensils in the buffet has got to be a damn good choice.

 

If people are careful (and the staff clean properly) then in most other circumstances you are washing your hands after touching common surfaces but before eating.

 

Whereas in the buffet there is a lot of touching common surfaces after you have washed your hands, and I have rarely seen anyone get their food and then go and wash their hands again before eating.

 

2 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

But if you feel you're under threat you can always avoid the self service restaurants.

 

And miss out on the tepid food, the crowds, the fighting for a table...

[snaefell]

7 hours ago, Cheshire Blue said:

It was pretty bad on Arcadia in November.   

Back in May last year there were problems on Arcadia