Skip directly to: content | left navigation | search
  1. VSP Home > Disease Surveillance and Investigation > Updates of GI Illness > Investigation Update on the Ryndam

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.