by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:55 AM ET, Mon April 28, 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a “newly dominant” strain may be responsible for the recent wave of norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships.
In a statement shared with USA Today, the federal agency addressed the recent spate of gastrointestinal illnesses at sea. So far this year, cruise ships have endured 13 outbreaks that meet the CDC’s requirements for public notification.
Of that total, 10 were norovirus outbreaks. The others were linked with E. coli, ciguatera fish poisoning (presumed) and some unknown cause.
In all of 2023, there were 14 outbreaks that required public notification. In 2024, there were 18.
For comparison, just one percent of all norovirus outbreaks take place on cruise ships, per the CDC.
“While the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend,” the CDC said in a statement to USA TODAY. “However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land. Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.”
The CDC also said cruise ships may be relying too much on hand sanitizer, which is not as effective against norovirus as soap and water.
The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which is responsible for inspecting cruise ships, was recently hit with layoffs. However, the agency says the inspections will continue.
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