Investigation Update on the Oriana
Investigation Update - March 4, 2004
- P & O Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal illness on the cruise ship
Oriana, which sailed from Barbados on February 20, 2004, and was destined for New Orleans, Louisiana, on
March 5.
- On March 2, P & O Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to report that an
unusual number of Oriana passengers were experiencing gastrointestinal illness. As of 10:15 a.m. EST on
March 3, the ship’s medical staff reported that 65 of 1,793 (3.63%) passengers and 9 of 783 (1.15%) crew
members were ill. Predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.
- The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection, and P & O Cruise Line provided special daily
reports to VSP throughout the next voyage; no significant levels of GI illnesses were reported. Stool
specimens were collected and tested positive for norovirus.