While many turn to cruise ships for a relaxing and luxurious experience, many people isolated and largely restricted except for deck areas The environment increases the risk of disease outbreaks.

So, while outbreaks of norovirus, measles, and other types of gastrointestinal diseases are more common on cruise ships, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regularly warns of potentially contagious contamination. small and calculated risk For healthy travelers only create serious dangers for more vulnerable populations.

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Certain parts of the cruise ship may also present higher risks. The CDC’s latest report identified nearly a dozen Legionnaires’ Disease outbreaks linked to private hot tubs on ships between November 2022 and June 2024. Legionnaires’ disease is a term for a specific type of serious pneumonia that causes a severe cough, high fever, and an increased risk of illness. damage to the lungs.

‘Hot tubs offer favorable conditions for growth and transmission’

While the CDC did not name specific cruise ship companies, it said several “sampling results identified private jacuzzis on cabin balconies selected as the most likely source of exposure for the outbreaks it examined.” Private hot tubs are defined as those inside the cabin or on the balcony of a suite; Although considered extremely luxurious and a significant improvement to one’s cruising experience, the CDC warns that they may not always be cleaned as thoroughly as on-deck and public hot tubs. Pool areas where many people fear being carriers of disease.

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“Hot tubs, regardless of location, present favorable conditions for the growth and transmission of Legionella when maintained and maintained poorly,” the national health agency writes in the report. “Private hot tubs on cruise ships are not subject to the same maintenance requirements as public hot tubs in common areas.”

One analysis found that six out of 10 samples taken from private balcony jacuzzis on a particular cruise ship had Legionella bacteria. On a different cruise ship, 10 of 12 passengers who fell ill from Legionella bacteria experienced symptoms bad enough to require hospitalization.

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What you need to know about cruise ship cleaning and jacuzzis

Examining the outbreak figures, study authors warned that it was “important” for cruise ship staff to “evaluate and adapt public hot tub maintenance and operating protocols for use in private outdoor hot tubs.”

Also an updated list from the CDC defines cruise ships According to the cleaning data examined in the last two years; last month, Carnival (CCL) was found to be at the bottom of most cruise ships’ cleanliness rankings.

While the cruise line’s Elation, Miracle and Breeze ships received scores of 89, 88 and 86 respectively, anything below 85 is considered inadequate by the agency. However, ratings are still relatively high, considering Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Hanseatic Inspiration ship received its lowest rating of 62; Carnival’s Panorama and Spirit ships also received perfect scores of 100.

In response to these scores, Carnival released a statement saying it “consistently strives for the highest standards of cleanliness and implements immediate corrective actions based on the results of these inspections.”

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