Nearly 120 individuals aboard Holland America’s ms Rotterdam, which set sail from Florida for a 12-night Panama Canal cruise, have reported illness due to norovirus, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Onboard, 107 out of 2,614 passengers (4.1%) and 12 out of 969 crew members (1.2%) exhibited symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting during the voyage that began on February 2 and is scheduled to return on February 14. The first case surfaced on February 7.
In response to the outbreak, the ship’s crew has enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols, in line with the cruise line’s outbreak management plan. The CDC is remotely monitoring the situation, while samples have been collected from the affected individuals for further testing.
This incident marks the seventh outbreak tracked by the CDC so far in 2025, with four linked to norovirus. Recent outbreaks have also been reported on other cruise ships, including the Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas and vessels from Princess Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises. Cruise lines must report any suspected outbreaks to the CDC, although similar exigencies in the hotel industry are not mandated.
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