Norovirus - What You Need to Know

With cruise ship "outbreaks" regularly appearing in the news, awareness of Norovirus -- an extremely common and highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis -- has been significantly raised.

But before you reconsider that long-awaited cruise vacation because of gloom-and-doom reports on television and in your daily paper, know these facts:

Norovirus is not a "cruise ship" virus, nor does it limit itself to sea-going vessels.

Norovirus spreads swiftly wherever there are many people in a small area, including nursing homes, restaurants, hotels, dormitories ... and cruise ships.

The common cold is the only illness more common, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta estimates that there are more than 20 million cases of Norovirus annually.

Norovirus is associated with cruise travel simply because health officials are required to track illnesses on ships (and are not at hotels and resorts); therefore, outbreaks are found and reported more quickly at sea than on land.

What are the symptoms? What are the cruise lines doing to combat germs? In the following Q&A, we tell you everything you need to know about Norovirus -- and how to avoid getting sick on your next cruise vacation.

Question: What is Norovirus and how is it spread?

Answer: Norovirus is named after an outbreak that occurred in Norwalk, Ohio, some 35 years ago. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vessel Sanitation Program, "Noroviruses are a group of viruses (previously known as Norwalk-like viruses) that can affect the stomach and intestines. These viruses can cause people to have gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and the large intestines. Gastroenteritis is sometimes called a calicivirus infection or food poisoning, even though it may not always be related to food."

Though Norovirus can be passed via contaminated food and water, when it comes to cruise ships it is typically spread through physical contact with ill people or surfaces/objects they may have touched. This includes shaking hands, caring for a sick friend or family member, sharing food or eating from the same utensils, and not washing hands after using the bathroom or changing diapers (the highly transmittable fecal-oral spread).

Bottom line? For the most part, Norovirus outbreaks are the results of guests setting sail sick ... and passing it around.

Q: What are the symptoms?

A: Though generally moderate, symptoms are often flu-like (in fact, Norovirus is often called the "stomach flu," even though it is not related to influenza). Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps; children often vomit more than adults. A low-grade fever and headache are also possible.

Q: What preventative measures should I take to avoid coming down with Norovirus?

A: First and foremost, wash your hands often with hot water and soap; the CDC recommends hitting the sink before and after eating and smoking, after touching your face, after using the restroom, and whenever your hands are dirty. Limit person-to-person contact as much as possible (we're not saying you absolutely must refuse the captain a handshake at his cocktail party ... just use your judgment throughout the cruise).

Cruise Critic members advise packing extra soap, a supply of Lysol and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol (just in case).

Q: What happens if I come down with Norovirus while on a cruise ship?

A: Beyond a visit to the ship's doctor, be sure to drink plenty of water as dehydration is a common side-effect. If they report symptoms, passengers are typically quarantined to their cabins to prevent spreading the illness to others -- not an ideal situation, but necessary.

Q: How long will it take me to recover?

A: Once you have been exposed to Norovirus, it takes anywhere from one to three days for its symptoms to appear; symptoms typically last only 24 to 48 hours but keep up the good hygiene -- people may be contagious for as long as two weeks after recovery.

Q: Why do I only hear about Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships?

A: It has been a particular problem of late for cruise ships because passengers and crew typically occupy close -- and closed-in -- quarters, such as casinos, theaters and banquet-style dining rooms. However, Norovirus has been known to close schools, attack college dormitories and even infect a Hollywood Academy Awards party.

According to a spokesman at the CDC, "the reason you hear about Norovirus on cruise ships is because they are required to report ... gastrointestinal illness. Nowhere else in the public health system of the United States is Norovirus a reportable illness. Norovirus is not a 'cruise ship' illness, but an illness commonly seen in many settings throughout the United States."

Q: What do cruise lines do to halt the spread of Norovirus?

A: Typically, when there's a significant outbreak of Norovirus or a similar illness (the CDC requires cruise lines to immediately file a report when more than 2 percent of passengers report symptoms), crewmembers clean even more thoroughly than usual -- with stronger solvents. Buffet service often switches from "help yourself" to manned stations. You may see salt and pepper shakers disappear from tables. Beyond that, crewmembers distribute information to passengers onboard offering precautionary tips, as well as a heads-up memo at embarkation to travelers boarding a ship that had previously seen a high percentage of illness. And, as mentioned above, passengers who report symptoms may be quarantined to the their cabins.

There are also behind-the-scenes procedures that cruise lines must follow. For instance, medical officers are required to maintain illness incident counts for each voyage that involves a stop at an American port. They are also required to communicate to the CDC, within 24-hours of arrival at a U.S. port, "the number of passengers and crew members who reported diarrhea to the ship's medical staff" during that voyage.

In serious cases where outbreaks cannot be contained, cruise lines might actually pull a ship out of service for a few days so it can undergo a more thorough sanitization. These enhanced cleanings are generally coordinated with the CDC.

Q: Is Norovirus more likely to break out on an unclean ship?

A: No. The Vessel Sanitation Program also monitors vessel cleanliness and there is no correlation between scores and outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness. In fact, Crown Princess, which was forced to end a cruise early in February 2012 to contain an outbreak, scored a 100 on its November 2011 inspection. The twice-yearly exam is notoriously thorough and challenging; 86 or above is considered passing.

Q: What exactly is the CDC, and how is it involved?

A: The CDC operates under the authority of the U.S. Public Health Service Act; its mission is to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases in the U.S. More specifically, its Vessel Sanitation Program monitors illness outbreaks on ships carrying more than 13 passengers. Twenty-four hours prior to arrival at a U.S. port from a foreign port, vessels must report to the CDC the number of passengers and crew onboard, and the number of passengers and crew who have reported to the ship's medical staff with a gastrointestinal illness -- even if that number is zero. Therefore, the CDC has reports from every cruise vessel, on just about every cruise, even if there was no illness.

If at any time during the cruise the number of ill passengers or crew exceeds 2 percent, the vessel must file a special report notifying CDC of the illness. Almost all of these reports are generated electronically.

Q: Am I entitled to compensation from the cruise line if I get Norovirus while on a voyage?

A: Tricky question. Cruise lines are not required to compensate guests who fall ill on a voyage. However, cruise lines will generally compensate passengers whose voyage is altered or canceled due to an outbreak. Guests booked on the voyage of Carnival Liberty that was shortened for the two-day cleaning were offered the chance to sail with a 50 percent refund and 50 percent future cruise credit, or cancel for a full refund and reimbursement of airline change fees. Royal Caribbean offered guests on the shortened Freedom of the Seas sailing the chance to cancel for a full refund and a future cruise discount, or sail and receive a future cruise discount and additional compensation.

Be sure to read your contract -- on the back of your cruise documents or ticket -- very carefully. Each line has specific rules regarding compensation.

Q: Will travel insurance cover me in case I want to cancel because of fear of illness?

A: There is no fear-of-illness coverage in the industry. However, travel insurance will cover you if you cancel because you got sick before you went or are stricken onboard. Specifically, it could also pick up medical expenses and/or compensate you for days you missed if you left the ship before the end of the cruise. Since policies vary between travel insurers, read the fine print before you go.