Investigation Update on the Sun Princess

Investigation Update - January 11, 2005

Princess Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the cruise ship, Sun Princess, for the voyage completed on January 18, 2005, (sailing dates: 01/08 -01/18/2005) in Port Everglades, FL.

On January 11, 2005, Princess Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an elevated number of Sun Princess passengers and crew members were experiencing GI illness. On January 18, the ship’s medical staff reported that 93 of 2035 (4.57%) passengers and 5 of 865 (0.58%) crew members were ill. Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.

The ship's staff implemented additional cleaning and disinfection procedures. Stool specimens were collected and tested positive for norovirus. Medical staff continued to monitor gastrointestinal illness cases; the number of ill people returned to expected levels on the following voyage.