Investigation Update on the Horizon

Investigation Update - April 30, 2005

Celebrity Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the cruise ship, Horizon, for the voyage completed on April 30, 2005, (sailing dates: 4/23-4/30/2005) in Norfolk, VA.

On April , 2005, Celebrity Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an elevated number of Horizon passengers and crew members were experiencing GI illness. At the end of the voyage, the ship’s medical staff reported that 42 of 1309 (3.2%) passengers and 14 of 650 (2.1%) crew members were ill. The predominant symptom was diarrhea.

Stool specimens were collected and causative agent is unknown. The ship's staff implemented additional cleaning and disinfection procedures. Medical staff sent daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to CDC; the number of ill people returned to expected levels by the following voyage.