Cruise ships have been known to be a hotbed for contagious diseases due to the close quarters and shared facilities. To prevent the spread of illnesses, effective disinfection methods are necessary. For example, when appropriately used, chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide treatments can efficiently control norovirus, a common cruise ship illness. Other methods, like frequent hand washing, good ventilation, and restricting contact between sick and healthy passengers, can assist in reducing the spread of infections on cruise ships in addition to these disinfection treatments. Overall, effective disinfection measures are critical to reducing the spread of cruise ship sickness, and a combination of approaches may be required to tackle different pathogens effectively.
Most Common Illnesses on Cruise Ships
Norovirus
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis. It is commonly transferred by contaminated food or drink, as well as close contact with sick patients, and symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains. The norovirus can spread quickly on cruise ships and other venues where people are crowded together, touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus can persist for days to weeks on surfaces, and it only takes a small amount of norovirus on surfaces to cause an outbreak.
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a respiratory ailment caused by the influenza virus. Fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and weariness are some of the symptoms. Influenza is extremely contagious, spreading through the air when sick people cough or sneeze. It can cause significant consequences in some people, notably the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Influenza can persist on surfaces for 24-48 hours.
Respiratory illnesses
Respiratory illnesses affect the respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat, lungs, and airways. Viruses and bacteria can cause these infections ranging from mild to severe, such as the common cold. Coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat, and difficulty breathing are some symptoms. Many germs that cause respiratory illnesses are spread by droplets that come from coughing and sneezing. These germs usually spread from person to person when uninfected persons are in close contact with a sick person. Some people may become infected by touching something with these germs and then touching their mouth or nose.
Foodborne illnesses
Foodborne illnesses occur as a result of ingesting contaminated food or beverages. Bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins can cause these disorders. Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever are all possible symptoms. Foodborne infections can be avoided by proper food preparation, storage, and handling.
Disinfectant Approaches
Creating a safer and healthier environment is feasible by paying attention to high-touch areas, selecting appropriate disinfectants, and implementing a regular cleaning regimen. Effective disinfection measures reduce the risk of cruise ship sickness and increase human well-being in various settings, including public areas, workplaces, and other shared locations. NanoRAD, Kismet Technologies’ patent pending technology that kills viruses and bacteria as they land on surfaces for months, is an effective option for disinfectant approaches.
High-touch areas
High-touch regions are an important area of concentration. Surfaces and objects that are routinely touched by several individuals, such as doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, and light switches, fall under this category. These places are more prone to contamination and should be thoroughly disinfected regularly to prevent the spread of germs. Disinfecting these high-touch surfaces with proper disinfectants and procedures should be given special attention.
Choosing the right disinfectants
Another critical consideration is selecting the appropriate disinfectants. Not all disinfectants are equally efficient against all pathogens. It is critical to use disinfectants approved by the relevant health authorities and specially formulated to target the bacteria of concern. NanoRAD will continue safely killing bacteria and viruses, eradicating most infectious pathogens by 2 hours, going far beyond normal disinfection. Even working on persistent biofilms, NanoRAD produces hydrogen peroxide continuously in the presence of bacteria and viruses until they are eradicated.
Frequency of cleaning
Cleaning frequency is also essential to maintaining a clean and sanitary environment. High-traffic and high-touch locations should be cleaned and disinfected more often, especially during times of higher risk or when cases of sickness are known. Cleaning schedules should be developed regularly to guarantee that all areas, significantly less visible ones, receive sufficient attention and disinfection.
Hand hygiene practices
Hand hygiene habits are crucial for reducing sickness spread on cruise ships. The availability of hand sanitizer stations throughout the ship is a crucial part of hand hygiene. These stations should be strategically positioned in high-traffic locations such as dining areas and entertainment venues to encourage regular use. Hand sanitizer stations must be well-stocked with alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol.
Hand sanitizer stations
It is also critical to encourage excellent hand hygiene habits throughout the ship via signage and announcements, encouraging passengers and crew members to practice proper hand hygiene. Cruise companies can assist in reducing the spread of infections and promote a safe and healthy environment for all onboard by providing easily available hand sanitizer stations and educating passengers and crew members on basic hand washing methods.
Handwashing guidelines
Another important aspect of hand hygiene is handwashing guidelines. Proper handwashing practices, which include using soap and warm water, lathering for at least 20 seconds, and thoroughly washing all surfaces of the hands, including between the fingers and under the nails, should be taught to crew members and passengers. Dry your hands with a clean cloth or an air dryer. Handwashing should be done properly before and after eating, using the restroom, blowing the nose or coughing, and touching surfaces contaminated with germs.
Crew training and awareness
Cruise lines can help prevent the spread of infections and guarantee a safe and healthy environment for passengers and crew members alike by giving infection control education to crew members and constantly monitoring and enforcing proper hygiene procedures. Training crew and having awareness is a key element in ensuring cruise ship sickness does not occur.
Infection control education
Infection control education is an essential part of crew training. This includes teaching crew members correct hygiene practices, such as hand washing and sanitizing, and how to clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment. Crew members should also be trained to recognize the symptoms of common infections like norovirus and influenza, as well as how to report suspected cases to medical personnel.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Monitoring and enforcement are also key aspects of crew training and awareness. This entails periodically inspecting crew members to verify they adhere to adequate hygiene and infection control standards. Crew members who fail to follow these protocols should be reminded of their importance and may face disciplinary action. It is also critical to follow local and international health rules, such as those established by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How CDC Cruise Ship Inspections Work
Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)
The CDC’s Cruise Ship Inspections program, which includes the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), is critical in maintaining the health and safety of cruise ship passengers and crew members. The VSP establishes sanitary standards for cruise ships based on international health rules and best practices for reducing illness spread.
Inspection criteria and scoring system
Cruise ships’ cleanliness and hygiene practices are evaluated using inspection criteria and a grading system. Food handling, water quality, washing and disinfection, and overall ship cleanliness are all elements that inspectors consider. Each ship is graded on a scale of 100 points, with a score of 85 or more being passed.
Compliance and corrective actions
The CDC’s Cruise Ship Inspections program also emphasizes compliance and corrective actions. If a ship fails an inspection, the cruise line must take corrective actions to fix any flaws discovered during the inspection. These activities may include enhancing hygiene methods, offering more training to crew members, and repairing or upgrading the ship as needed.
Benefits of CDC inspections for cruise lines
Identifying and addressing possible health and safety issues before they become a problem is one of the benefits of CDC inspections for cruise lines, as it displays a commitment to the health and safety of passengers and crew members. Furthermore, cruise lines participating in the VSP may be eligible for additional marketing and promotional opportunities, such as placement on the VSP’s list of “Green Sheet” ships with a score of 95 or above on their most recent inspection.
The Bottom Line
Disinfectants play an essential part in keeping cruise ships safe and healthy. Cruise ships are vulnerable to the transmission of infectious diseases due to their restricted areas and large passenger capacity. Disinfectants are critical for preventing pathogen transmission and reducing the danger of outbreaks. These potent compounds are used to disinfect and clean various surfaces, including cabins, public areas, dining establishments, and recreational places. Disinfectants protect passengers’ and crew members’ health and well-being by successfully eradicating bacteria, viruses, and other hazardous germs. Their significance cannot be emphasized, as they provide an important line of defense against infectious diseases, providing a safe and enjoyable cruise experience for all. NanoRAD is the new emerging disinfectant that will change the way the world disinfects. Effective disinfectant approaches are important to eliminate cruise ship sickness, NanoRAD is a new and effective solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sickness is common on cruise ships?
Norovirus is one of the most common illnesses on cruise ships. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gastrointestinal illnesses caused by norovirus account for the majority of reported outbreaks on cruise ships.
What percentage of people get sick on cruises?
The percentage of people who get sick on cruises varies, but the incidence of illness is generally low. The CDC reports that the overall incidence of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships is less than 1%, and most passengers and crew members remain healthy throughout their voyage.
How can I prevent getting sick on a cruise ship?
There are several steps you can take to prevent getting sick on a cruise ship, like washing your hands regularly with soap and water, using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, avoiding touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and more.
What measures do cruise lines take to prevent the spread of illness onboard?
Cruise lines also take many measures to prevent the spread of illness onboard, including regular cleaning and disinfection of the ship and its facilities, strict food handling procedures to prevent foodborne illness, isolating passengers and crew who show signs of illness, and more. It is important to note that despite these measures, illness outbreaks can still occur on cruise ships due to the close quarters and shared facilities onboard. It is important to practice good hygiene and follow the cruise line’s guidelines to help prevent the spread of illness.
References: Norovirus Illness: Key Facts (cdc.gov)
Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces – PubMed (nih.gov)
