Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Noro outbreak on glory

ChefSusan

By ChefSusan,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

Recommended Posts

armywifefisher

armywifefisher

Posted
Posted
We were talking with a family this morning while waiting to disembark; husband is a self-professed germophobe, he brought along all sorts of disinfecting gear, and he was the only one in his family who got the bug.

 

Germophobes are more likely to get sick if they come in contact with any virse than a normal person would, due to the fact that they keep so clean there body does not get exposed as many germs. Obtain germs even if they do not make ou sick helps your body know how to react when it does encounter a more sever virus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
nybumpkin

nybumpkin

Posted
Posted
We were also on this sailing and felt the Carnival staff worked hard to keep everything clean. The smell of bleach was quite evident when we returned from our day in Halifax. My family stopped taking food from the buffet that required guests to serve themselves. We stuck to the burritos, fish and chips, and the burgers. We also only used the bathroom in our stateroom. We were concerned that those infected (as well as their families) were not quarantined. My parents experienced an outbreak on a Princess ship and this was their protocol to help contain the virus. It stinks for those that aren't sick but it helps keep everyone else healthy. Every person I spoke to knew of someone who was sick. I would be interested to know the number of reported cases. Based on conversations I had, I think it is extremely large.
I overheard 200 as the number, but I think it was probably higher than that. 200 is probably the number that actually went to the infirmary.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Amy Giard

Amy Giard

Posted
Posted
Yes it does fight bacteria and viruses I looked it up and that is why medical tools are also washed down with it also.

 

 

Purell will kill almost all bacteria and some viruses. They also have a new product called Pruell Advanced which is 70% alcohol instead of 63% - higher "proofs" of alcohol have been shown to be more effective at killing Noro (notice I said more effective NOT totally).

 

Bleach is the best.. but hand-san is better than nothing. If you do use Purell or other hand sanitizer to clean surfaces. get the strongest you can get, alcohol percentage wise.

 

Apply very generously to the surface so it doesn't evaporate too soon and leave it on for a minute and pray. YMMV.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ray98

ray98

Posted
Posted

I think lots of people do not understand hand sanitizer vs. Noro.

 

From the State of FL research of the matter:

 

The organism is an enveloped virus and thus is resistant to low concentrations of chlorine, such as would be found in swimming pools and drinking water, and is also relatively heat resistant, surviving temperatures up to 60 degrees centigrade. The virus is inactivated by bleach at a 1:50 concentration (note: for comparison purposes regarding the hardiness of Norovirus, viruses such as HIV and Hepatits B are inactivated by concentrations of 1:100 bleach).

 

Similarly, members of the calcivirus family, including Norovirus, are more difficult to kill with ethanol than are vegetative bacteria and non-enveloped viruses. Ethanol in concentrations of 60 – 70% (the usual concentration in commercially available hand sanitizers), if correctly applied to all surfaces of the hands will eradicate >99% of the vegetative bacteria and non-enveloped viruses after 30 seconds of contact time. A full minute of contact time with 70% ethanol is required to inactive Norovirus. Only 30 seconds of contact time with 85% ethanol is required to inactivate caliviruses, but this concentration is not commercially available in a hand sanitizer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Amy Giard

Amy Giard

Posted
Posted
Germstar made a product for Noro which I do believe is used y the cruise industry and in hospitals

I have a case of 4 oz bottles / sanitizer

I don't know if it works but certainly make me feel a bit better

 

Yes hand-san it will work.. if applied correctly - that's the key - Slather it thick on and let it sit for a minute. They drilled us on this all the time - thanks for posting the citation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dan Askin

Dan Askin

Posted
Posted

Just wanted to add a few details from Carnival:

According to the line, Glory's embarkation was delayed today to make time for an "aggressive cleaning and sanitization" after a suspected Norovirus outbreak on the previous cruise.

In a statement, Carnival said 212 passengers and three crewmembers reported gastrointestinal symptoms over the course of the five-night cruise that left New York on August 6. There were 3,645 passengers and 1,143 crewmembers on the sailing, which ended in New York on Saturday, August 11.

Early today, the line said next scheduled departure was still set to leave as scheduled at 5 p.m. (awaiting confirmation of exact time). For those passengers whose embarkation was delayed, Carnival provided a $15 per person shipboard credit to cover lunch.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
U2FanHFX

U2FanHFX

Posted
Posted

The use of alcohol-based hand antiseptics (hand sanitizers) does not replace the need for frequent and proper hand washing. The efficacy of most alcohol-based hand antiseptics approximates simple hand washing. In addition, many alcohol-based hand antiseptics have very poor activity against bacterial spores, protozoan cysts and certain non-enveloped viruses, such as noroviruses. Alcohol-based hand antiseptics appear to have very good to excellent activity against many bacteria and some enveloped viruses. Some scientific evidence suggest that ethanol-based hand antiseptics containing 60-90 percent alcohol, appear to be the most effective against common pathogens (including non-enveloped viruses) that cause acute gastroenteritis on cruise ships. In general, ethanol-based hand antiseptics appear to have greater antimicrobial activity against viruses than isopropanol-based hand antiseptics, although both appear to offer some activity against these pathogens.

 

It should be noted that alcohol-based hand antiseptics are not effective on hands that are visibly dirty or those contaminated with organic materials. Hands that are visibly dirty or contaminated with organic material must be wash with soap and water, even if hand antiseptics are to be used as an adjunct measure. It is also worth noting that the amount of alcohol-based hand antiseptic is important to its overall effectiveness. Failure to cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers will also greatly reduce the efficacy of alcohol-based hand antiseptics.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KinCollector

KinCollector

Posted
Posted

Hospital staff are taught to actively rub hands together with soap for 15 seconds, then rinse. How long is that? Sing (to yourself) the A-B-C song or Happy Birthday, TWICE. That's 15 seconds. What I noticed on my last cruise is people who had no clue what the little papers on or beside the exit door were. I saw women using a fistful of those towels to dry their hands. The restroom was well equipped with air blowing dryers. When I suggested those papers were for opening the door, I got a "deer in the headlights" stare. Probably useless to post a sign for these people.:(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RNGALNG

RNGALNG

Posted
Posted

I was on a Princess cruise this February and still had to fill out 'the form.'

 

One lady onboard got sick and she and her husband were quarantined for 48 hours. He snuck out but when he used his card to get something, security came by and escorted him back to the cabin.

 

Also on Princess, if they have an outbreak, they will make the personnel serve the food in the buffet. You can not touch the spoons etc.

 

Just think of all the things you touch. Even coat hangers are touched a lot! Clean everything! Keep your personal things (toothbrush, paste, hairbrush, . . . ) in a sealed bag when not in use. You don't know what clothes your steward is using on your room.

 

I have a friend who had a kidney replacement. He has given me secrets too. He never touches the buttons in an elevator with fingers, but uses a knuckle if need be. His clothes live in his suitcase when he travels (and he does a lot of that) so that no one touches his things.

 

Above all, use common sense! You will be fine! Keep your hands to yourself and have a good time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
AmberTeka

AmberTeka

Posted
Posted

I have a tip for norvo. As one who had norvo last year on the Princess Crown. It was my first ( and only) time in 20 or so cruises..TWO THINGS I KNOW

 

!. Carry a carton of Clorox with bleach wipes on board. When you get to your cabin, take a few minutes..wipe the handle of the toilet....the facets and such in bathroom..the phone..the door locks...the lamp turn off and off....anything people touch a lot...wipe it. It does not take five minutes...and it is effective. The bleach kills the virus.

 

2. Washing your hands in plain running water for 45 SECONDS... I REPEAT 45 SECONDS...knocks the norvo virus off. gets rid of it. and the sanitizers do work..but be sure to dry your hands after using them.

 

If possible.....use your own potty. Stay away from the buffet. OR clean your hands before eating.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MrPete

MrPete

Posted
Posted
I have a tip for norvo. As one who had norvo last year on the Princess Crown. It was my first ( and only) time in 20 or so cruises..TWO THINGS I KNOW

 

!. Carry a carton of Clorox with bleach wipes on board. When you get to your cabin, take a few minutes..wipe the handle of the toilet....the facets and such in bathroom..the phone..the door locks...the lamp turn off and off....anything people touch a lot...wipe it. It does not take five minutes...and it is effective. The bleach kills the virus.

 

2. Washing your hands in plain running water for 45 SECONDS... I REPEAT 45 SECONDS...knocks the norvo virus off. gets rid of it. and the sanitizers do work..but be sure to dry your hands after using them.

 

If possible.....use your own potty. Stay away from the buffet. OR clean your hands before eating.

 

Great advice!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gailerina

Gailerina

Posted
Posted
Not to get OT here, but I read to use the tissues to open doors. Do you walk around with tissues in your pockets or are there tissue stations set up by doors?

 

Most bathrooms have holders next to the door

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ~ sign the awesome Gailerina!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mome2josh

mome2josh

Posted
Posted

We were also on the Glory. Our son got Noro pretty bad. He did not participate in any of the Circle C activities but did spend time in the arcade. Dr. on board said it started in the Teenage population. I can guarantee more than 212 people on board were ill. The infirmary was packed and our family witnessed people getting sick a number of times. I think a lot of people did not report it. Unfortunately some selfish person got off the ship in Halifax and then vomited on the sidewalk in town.

That being said. The staff on the ship were more than accommodating. They refunded shore excursions and services purchased that were unusable because of the illness. No questions asked. My room steward payed excellent attention to cleaning our room as well as the many others in our hallway that were experiencing the illness. We had a balcony room, so I left the door open as much as possible to let fresh air in. The crew was cleaning like crazy.

Other than the virus putting a damper on our cruise, we did manage to enjoy it. Weather was absolutely perfect.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...