The number of infectious illness outbreaks reported on cruise ships has dropped sharply in the last 12 months.
Since July 2016, only four ships have experienced gastro-intestinal illnesses that reached an outbreak level, according to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
That compares with an average of 19 outbreaks annually from 2008 to 2014.
About 70% of the gastro-intestinal outbreaks are caused by norovirus, which is easily transmitted on board.
Last year, there were 13 cases of illness on cruise ships, according to the CDC’s website, but only two in the second half of the year.
They occurred on the P&O’s ‘Adonia’, which was being operated by Carnival Corp’s Fathom brand at the time, and on Holland America Line’s ‘Oosterdam’.
This year, illnesses were reported on Princess Cruises’ ‘Coral Princess’, Oceania’s ‘Regatta’, plus HAL’s ‘Volendam’ and ‘Oosterdam’.
Around 32 cruise ships attained a score of 100 when inspected by sanitation officials this year, the CDC said.
