The outbreak of a virus on board the cruise ship MV Hondius continues to make headlines as more passengers test positive for hantavirus. This, understandably, leaves many travellers feeling apprehensive in the run-up to a planned getaway.
According to Government guidance, hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by rodents including mice and rats, spread through their droppings and urine. Nevertheless, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has emphasised that the overall risk to the public remains very low. In a recent statement, Dr Meera Chand, at UKHSA, said: "It's important to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains very low. We are standing up arrangements to support, isolate and monitor British nationals from the ship on their return to the UK and we are contact tracing anyone who may have been in contact with the ship or the hantavirus cases to limit the risk of onward transmission."
Understanding Cruise Ship Illnesses
While a holiday should be a time for relaxation, taking a few simple steps can keep you feeling your best while away, writes Camilla Foster. Understanding the types of illnesses that can occur in shared spaces is the first step toward staying healthy.
Gastrointestinal Viruses
"Gastrointestinal viruses like norovirus are very common on cruise ships," says Dr Lucy Hooper, of Coyne Medical. "Norovirus is often called stomach flu, and predominantly starts with nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, sometimes with a fever as well." Norovirus spreads exceptionally easily and can circulate rapidly aboard cruise vessels. "You only need a tiny number of particles of the virus itself to pass it on between people. It can also go on surfaces, so you don't need to touch an infected person to catch it. You could catch the virus by just touching a door handle or tongs at a food buffet, so that's why norovirus can become such an issue in an environment like a cruise," says Hooper.
Respiratory Illnesses
Respiratory infections, including Covid and influenza, are equally prevalent. "Typical symptoms of respiratory illnesses tend to be a fever, muscle aches and pains, coughs, a sore throat and headaches. Covid and flu particles primarily spread through the air through coughs and sneezes," says Hooper. The confined conditions aboard a cruise liner, alongside passengers from across the globe, can trigger outbreaks. "A cruise ship is essentially a small city at sea, and you've got a whole ecosystem there of restaurants, lifts, theatres and enclosed spaces all shared by thousands of passengers," says GP Dr Asimah Hanif. "Passengers usually come from lots of different countries, so are bringing different viral exposures to the ship. In addition, whenever the ship stops at a port, there's turnover of people, which introduces new sources of infection every few days."
Seasickness
This can prove to be a significant issue for cruise passengers as well. "Many people with sea sickness experience nausea, and some people actually vomit. Some also feel off-balance and find that they're unsteady, even when the ship or sea is calm," says Hooper.
How to Safeguard Yourself
Stay up to date with vaccinations: "Make sure that your vaccinations, especially for things like influenza, are up to date," says Hooper. Hanif adds: "Check the destinations that you're going to and find out whether you need any additional travel-specific vaccinations for that area."
Avoid touching your face: "Try to avoid touching your face in shared spaces to prevent that hand-to-face transmission of viruses," advises Hanif.
Pack spare medication: "Pack spare medication in case your journey takes longer than expected," says Hooper.
Be cautious at buffets: "Make sure that you use the serving utensils at buffets rather than your hands, and wash your hands before you eat. I would also try to avoid any food that looks like it has been sitting out for a long time," warns Hanif.
Wash your hands: "Simple day-to-day things like hand-washing are super important. Soap and water works particularly well for norovirus because it actually removes the virus from your hands. I would also recommend packing some simple painkillers, like paracetamol, some travel sickness tablets and some rehydration solution sachets," says Hooper.
Drink plenty of water and get sufficient rest: "Look after your body and your immune system by staying hydrated and by getting a good amount of sleep," recommends Hooper.
Obtain adequate travel health insurance: "Make sure that your policy has good coverage for cruising and also declare any pre-existing health conditions to the insurance company," says Hooper. Hanif adds that it's crucial that you list every medication you are on. "People sometimes think they don't need to let insurers know that they are on HRT, weight-loss jabs or are taking specific vitamins. However, it's important to let them know everything that you're taking to give the travel insurance company a full picture of who you are."
Seek assistance promptly: "If you're getting to the point where you are vomiting repeatedly, can't leave your room or have a fever, then you should seek medical advice," says Hanif. Hooper underlines the significance of seeking help sooner rather than later. "It's good to make the medical team onboard aware of what's happening earlier rather than later so they can potentially help stop anything infectious from spreading."
