When there is an outbreak of sickness on a cruise ship, the massive boat is usually docked and washed from stem to stern. Often solvents and disinfectants are used liberally on every surface, but a new study questions whether these procedures are working.
A study out of the Universite Laval, in Canada, has revealed that Norovirus might be transmittable by air. Norovirus is commonly called the “stomach flu,” even though the flu virus isn’t a part of the illness. The virus causes symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. Norovirus is also commonly known to strike on cruises, and ruins vacations for countless people every year.
The study’s leader hopes their findings can help change how people deal with these outbreaks. “In light of our results, these rules need to be reviewed to take into account the possibility of airborne transmission of noroviruses,” she says. She also hopes that mobile air-filtration units and respirator masks will be tested for use.
Is My Cruise Line Vacation Safe?
Studies like this aim to make cruise ship travel safer and more enjoyable. However, it can take a while for new measures to be adopted by the cruise line industry, and some companies would rather skip the expense of implementing new safety measures alltogether. Colson Hicks Eidson has a long history of pursuing cruise line litigation. We help victims get compensation for injuries suffered on cruises, including passenger disappearances. Visit our cruise ship accidents page to see what we do, and if you need help, contact our accident lawyers.
Colson Hicks Eidson — Cruise Accident Attorneys
Source: http://www.webmd.com/news/20150506/cruise-ship-norovirus-bug-can-spread-by-air-study-finds