Investigation Update on the Mercury

Investigation Update - June 9, 2006

Celebrity Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on the cruise ship, Mercury, for the 7 day voyage completed on June 9, 2006, (sailing dates: 6/2/2006-6/9/2006) in Seattle, WA.

On June 7, Celebrity Cruise Line contacted with CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report an elevated number of Mercury passengers and crew were experiencing symptoms that were consistent with acute gastroenteritis.

On June 9, the ship’s medical staff reported that 4 of 848 (0.47%) crew were and 121 of 2025 (5.98%) passengers were ill. The predominant symptoms were diarrhea, vomiting. On June 9, VSP staff boarded the ship to conduct an onboard environmental investigation.

The ship's staff implemented additional cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Medical staff provided daily updates to CDC; the number of ill people returned to expected levels on the following voyage (voyage ending on 6/16/06).