An outbreak on board the National Geographic Sea Bird cruise ship has left a dozen people suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on June 1.
The ship was carrying 66 passengers and 24 crew members during the voyage that ran from May 26 to May 31. The CDC said nine passengers and three crew members reported symptoms, predominantly vomiting and diarrhea.
The U.S.-flag cruise ship, operated by National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, is currently sailing near Alaska, according to Vessel Finder.
In response to the outbreak, the CDC said that Lindblad Expeditions has ramped up cleaning and disinfection procedures aboard the ship and isolated sick passengers and crew members.
The crew also consulted with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) regarding sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting of sick individuals, the agency said.
“VSP remotely monitored the situation, including review of the ship’s outbreak response and sanitation procedures,” the CDC said in a statement.
The CDC was notified of the outbreak on May 28, though the causative agent remains unknown.