Investigation Update on the Regal Princess
Investigation Update – September 2, 2003
- Since October 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program
(VSP) has been following or investigating several instances of gastrointestinal illness aboard cruise
ships. Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness continue to be reported throughout the U.S. and
subsequently, we continue to see an increase in the number of passengers with gastrointestinal illness on
some cruises.
- Cruise vessels sailing to U.S. Ports are required to notify the CDC of every case of gastrointestinal
illness reported to the ships’ medical staff, for each cruise. This report must be filed 24 hours prior
to arrival at a U.S. port, from a foreign port. If the number of passengers or crew ill reaches 2% during
the cruise, the vessel is required to file a special report. The CDC continues to closely monitor these
illness reports on a daily basis. An “outbreak” of gastrointestinal illness is defined as having 3% or
more of either passengers or crew reported with a gastrointestinal illness.
- Cruise vessels currently being closely monitored are:
- Regal Princess (Princess Cruises) for the cruise of August 18 to September 2, 2003, reported 301 of
1,557 passengers (19.3%) and 45 of 687 crew (6.6%) with gastrointestinal illness. Stool samples collected
from ill passengers and crew have been analyzed and norovirus has been confirmed by a public health
laboratory in the U.K. Crew of the Regal Princess have conducted extensive cleaning and disinfection of
the vessel during the duration of the cruise. However, to allow additional time for cleaning and
disinfection without passengers present, Princess Cruises elected to bring the vessel into New York one
day early. Additional cleaning teams will board the vessel and the vessel will embark passengers on
Thursday, September 4, as scheduled.
General Information
- Cruise ship travelers are reminded that simple hygienic practices, such as frequent and thorough
hand washing with warm water and soap, and avoiding contact with other passengers when ill, are important
measures to prevent the spread of disease.
- Additional information about CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp.
- Information on Norwalk-like viruses is available at:
- http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm and
- http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5203a1.htm
- Additional information on gastrointestinal diseases is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/gastro.htm.
- CDC protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries;
enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes
healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.
- For more information, CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program can be reached at
vsp@cdc.gov.