Norovirus in Alaska (Seward)

[Icehouse]

Last Friday, a cruise ship docked in Seward suspected of carrying the norovirus. There is an article in today's Anchorage Daily News about it at www.adn.com. It also docked in other ports around southeastern Alaska.

For all y'all traveling, this is a flashing reminder to be sure you wash your hands a lot. I haven't heard of any locals getting sick, but according to the article, 120 passengers were sick and 12 of the crew members. In other words, 8.5% of the ship was sick and the cruise line is required to report any sickness involving 3%.

Edit: yes, the ship allowed the passengers to come into town.

Be careful out there and use that Purell.


Tammy

[Driftwoodgal]

Tammy,

We cruise at least twice a year and hate the dreaded norovirus. Do you know what cruise line and ship had it? Last year we were on a back to back cruise out of Galveston. The second week we were in our cabin almost the entire 7 days as we had some type of upper respiratory virus. We don't hold on to hand rails, and wash our hands constantly. It is easy to pick up what ever on a cruise ship as well as a hospital, nursing home, school or even your church. What would be great is that people that are sick keep to their homes, cabins, apartments, etc. Going out in public just infects everyone. Yep, you need to go to work, but then your fellow workers get what you have and pass it on to someone else.

We will be on an Alaska cruise next May. I would love to pick your brain on what to do in each port.

Colleen

[Icehouse]

Colleen, the cruise was Holland America cruise ship. I agree with you about sick people staying home. Bernie is a transplant patient (15 years out) and people go out in public sick and can infect him. He takes medicine every day to kill his immune system. It makes me so angry when a sick person has so little respect for the rest of us that they go out and spread their nasty germs.

[bob n pam]

Tammy, thanks so much for the heads up. Wash, wash, wash! We're having too much fun to come down with something.

Pam

[Sunshine]

We just returned from an Alaskan cruise on Holland America Line - the Amsterdam. Having heard so much about the norovirus on cruise ships, we were careful to use the antibacterial liquid dispensers in the eating areas, washed frequently and avoided unnecessary contact with bannisters and other "public" surfaces. Happy to say the cruise was wonderful - illness free - and I'm ready for the next one! I realize we barely scratched the surface where Alaska is concerned, but what we did see was spectacular!