Investigation Update on the Ryndam

Cruise Line: Holland America Line

Cruise Ship: Ryndam

Voyage Dates: 3/3-3/13

Number of ill passengers out of total number of passengers: 61 of 1209 (5.05%)

Number of ill crew out of total number of crew: 7 of 593 (1.18%)

Predominant symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Holland America Line and the crew aboard the ship took the following actions:

• increased cleaning and disinfection procedures,
• staffed the ship with additional people to support the cleaning and disinfection procedures,
• sent environmental health staff to the ship for additional support,
• notified passengers aboard the ship,
• sent daily updates to CDC until the number of ill people returned to expected levels,
• notified oncoming passengers about the illness,
• collected stool specimens for analysis.

Because this is the third consecutive outbreak, Holland America Line will take the ship out of service from March 13-15. They will staff the ship with additional people to clean and disinfect the ship while it's out of service.

On March 13th, VSP staff boarded the ship in San Diego, CA to conduct an environmental health investigation and make recommendations.

During the following voyage (3/15-3/23) reports of gastrointestinal illnesses returned to expected levels.