Epidemiologic Notes and Reports
Outbreak of Pneumonia Associated with a Cruise Ship, 1994
On July 15, 1994, the New Jersey State Department of Health
notified CDC of six persons hospitalized with pneumonia. An
investigation was initiated to determine the etiology and potential
sources and modes of transmission of the illness. These persons
traveled between New York City and Bermuda aboard the cruise ship
Horizon (Celebrity Cruise Line, port of origin: New York City) from
June 25 through July 2. Subsequent investigations have identified
16 additional persons with pneumonia who had traveled on the vessel
since May 28, 1994. Initial laboratory tests indicate Legionella
sp. infection (Legionnaires' disease) has been confirmed in four of
the 22 patients; specimens for laboratory testing are being
collected from the other patients.
Physicians evaluating persons who developed pneumonia within
2 weeks after travel aboard the Horizon are encouraged to report
these cases immediately to CDC through local or state health
departments. Updated information is available from CDC's Division
of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious
Diseases, telephone (404) 639-3057.
Reported by: C Genese, MJ Hung, S Paul, MD, J Brook, MD, L Finelli,
KC Spitalny, MD, State Epidemiologist, New Jersey State Dept of
Health. BA Mojica, MD, KJ Mohoney, MSW, RT Hefferman, MPH, Div of
Disease Intervention, New York City Dept of Health; SF Kondracki,
DL Morse, MD, State Epidemiologist, New York State Dept of Health.
JT Rankin, Jr, DVM, State Epidemiologist, Pennsylvania Dept of
Health. JL Hadler, MD, State Epidemiologist, Connecticut Dept of
Public Health and Addiction Svcs. Child and Respiratory Diseases
Br, Div of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for
Infectious Diseases; Div of Quarantine, National Center for
Prevention Svcs; Office of the Director, National Center for
Environmental Health; Div of Field Epidemiology, Epidemiology
Program Office, CDC.
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