Investigation Update on the Queen Mary 2

Investigation Update - March 6, 2004

Cunard Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the ship Queen Mary 2, which sailed from Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on March 3, 2004, and was destined to arrive in Port Everglades, Florida, on March 5.

On February 27, 2004, Cunard Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an unusual number of Queen Mary 2 passengers were experiencing GI. On March 6, the ship’s medical staff had reported that 33 of 2241 (1.35%) passengers and 55 of 1352 (4.07%) crew members were ill. Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

VSP staff met with Queen Mary 2 staff to discuss additional cleaning procedures and environmental infection control and to make recommendations for corrective action. Clinical specimens were obtained and confirmed positive for norovirus. Medical staff submitted daily reports to VSP throughout the following voyage; the cases of illness returned to an expected amount.