National Geographic Sea Bird Reports Third Illness Outbreak in Two Months

Health officials are investigating a gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, marking the third such incident on the vessel in approximately two months. The cruise, operated by Lindblad Expeditions, reported the outbreak on July 12, midway through its July 10 to July 15 voyage from Sitka to Juneau, Alaska.

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), 18 of the 62 passengers aboard became ill. The predominant symptoms reported were vomiting and abdominal cramps. The cause of the current outbreak remains unknown, though norovirus is a common culprit for such illnesses on cruise ships.

In response to the outbreak, ship crew members isolated ill passengers and enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols as part of the vessel's response plan. The VSP is remotely monitoring the situation and reviewing the ship's sanitation and outbreak response procedures. Samples are currently undergoing confirmatory testing to identify the specific agent responsible.

The National Geographic Sea Bird has experienced two previous gastrointestinal illness outbreaks since late May. While the source of the outbreaks is still under investigation, the VSP noted that identifying the causative agent can take time and typically involves collecting stool or vomitus samples from affected individuals.

The National Geographic Sea Bird is an expedition vessel measuring 152 feet in length and capable of carrying up to 62 guests. Its design allows access to remote inlets and fjords often inaccessible to larger cruise ships.

This incident follows other recent health-related events on cruise ships, including a hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius in April, which was linked to three passenger deaths, and a norovirus outbreak on the Caribbean Princess in the spring that affected over 100 people.