Gastrointestinal illness outbreak reported on Alaska cruise ship

Health officials have reported a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, an Alaska cruise ship operated by Lindblad Expeditions. This incident marks the ship's third outbreak in approximately two months. The outbreak was reported on July 12 during a voyage from Sitka to Juneau, Alaska, which took place from July 10 to July 15. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 18 of the 62 passengers reported symptoms, primarily vomiting and abdominal cramps. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown. The crew has isolated the affected individuals and enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures. The CDC is monitoring the situation and reviewing the ship's outbreak response and sanitation practices. The agency noted that norovirus is a common cause of such outbreaks on cruise ships. Testing of samples from affected individuals is ongoing to identify the causative agent.