Investigation Update on the Celebrity Constellation

Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises

Cruise Ship: Celebrity Constellation

Voyage Dates: January 28 – February 11, 2012

Number of passengers who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of passengers onboard: 102 of 1992 (5.12%)

Number of crew who have reported being ill during the voyage out of total number of crew onboard: 12 of 946 (1.27%)

Predominant symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea

Causative agent: Norovirus

Actions: In response to the outbreak, Celebrity Cruises and the crew aboard the ship have taken the following actions:

• Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures according to their outbreak prevention and response plan,
• Made announcements to both notify passengers and encourage case reporting,
• Conducted red level cleaning and delayed embarkation to permit a thorough disinfection,
• Collected stool specimens from ill passengers and crew for diagnostic laboratory testing,
• Distributed a pre-boarding health advisory to incoming passengers,
• Made daily reports of gastrointestinal illness cases to the VSP,
• Extended their turnaround day in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on February 11, 2012 to conduct a red level cleaning,
• Delayed embarkation to permit a thorough disinfection, and
• Consulted with CDC on disembarkation plans for active cases, terminal and transport infection control procedures

Two CDC Vessel Sanitation Program environmental health officers will board the ship on arrival in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on February 11, 2012 to conduct a targeted environmental health assessment and evaluate the outbreak and response activities.