Investigation Update on the Rotterdam
Investigation Update - April 14, 2004
- Holland America Cruise Line reported an increased number of cases of gastrointestinal (GI) illness on
the cruise ship, Rotterdam, for the voyage completed on April 15, 2004, (sailing dates: 4/2-15/2004) in
Baltimore, Maryland.
- On April 8, Holland America Cruise Line contacted CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) staff to
report that an unusual number of Rotterdam passengers and some crew members were experiencing GI illness.
At 9:28 a.m. ET on April 12, the ship’s medical staff reported that 38 of 1262 (3.01%) passengers and 7
of 560 (1.25%) crew members were ill.
- The vessel underwent extensive cleaning and disinfection. Stool specimens were collected
but the causative agent is unknown. Holland America provided special daily reports to VSP throughout the next voyage; no
significant levels of GI illnesses were reported.