Norovirus outbreaks reported on 3 cruise ships this month

Cbs News - Dec 19th, 2024

In December 2024, three cruise ships experienced norovirus outbreaks affecting hundreds of passengers and crew members. The CDC reported outbreaks on Holland America's Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, and Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess, leading to increased sanitation measures. Norovirus, known as the 'cruise ship virus,' is prevalent in close quarters like cruise ships, although these outbreaks are a small percentage of total annual cases. The CDC has noted 14 cruise outbreaks this year, with most caused by norovirus.

Norovirus Cruise Ships

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RATING

8.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a factual and detailed account of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, supported by credible sources and clearly presented information. However, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and more explicit source citations.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports the outbreaks and provides specific details such as dates, affected ships, and the number of people sickened, supported by data from the CDC.

Balance

The article is primarily focused on the outbreaks and includes statements from a Holland America spokesperson, but it lacks a variety of perspectives, such as passenger experiences or public health expert opinions.

Clarity

The language and structure are clear and concise, avoiding emotive terms. The article is logically structured and easy to follow, with a neutral tone throughout.

Source quality

The article cites the CDC as a primary source, which is credible and authoritative. However, it could improve by providing more detailed attribution for other information, such as the CruiseMapper data.

Transparency

The article provides a good amount of detail about the outbreaks and responses but does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or affiliations that might affect impartiality.