Investigation Update on the Zenith

Investigation Update - March 13, 2005

Celebrity Cruises reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the cruise ship, Zenith, for the voyage to be completed on March 13, 2005, (sailing dates: 02/27-03/13/2005) in Jacksonville, FL.

On March 3, 2005, Celebrity Cruises contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an elevated number of Zenith passengers and crew members were experiencing GI illness. The ship’s medical staff reported that 138 of 1308 (10.55%) passengers and 17 of 656 (2.59%) 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; by the following voyage the number of reported cases returned to expected levels.