Norovirus Outbreak Diverts Cruise Ship to Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Feb. 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Last week, another major cruise line reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that has impacted hundreds of passengers and crew members.  This is just the latest suspected outbreak of norovirus onboard a cruise ship.  The ship skipped a planned stop in Haiti to sail directly to Puerto Rico in order to undergo extensive cleaning.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Noroviruses (genus Norovirus, family Caliciviridae) are a group of related, single-stranded RNA, non-enveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. The most common symptoms of acute gastroenteritis are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Norovirus is the official genus name for the group of viruses previously described as “Norwalk-like viruses” (NLV).  Noroviruses spread from person to person, through contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus is recognized as the leading cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States. Outbreaks can happen to people of all ages and in a variety of settings.”

Fortunately, the illness is usually not life threatening and most people recover within a few days.  More severe cases of illness are possible, particularly in young children, the elderly and people with other existing health conditions.

“Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that has in recent years plagued the cruise ship industry and has caused outbreaks in other settings where people come in close contact with others,” saidHarry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “At Zimmetry, our indoor environmental professionals provide testing services for the norovirus and a wide range of bacterial and fungal pathogens.  PCR testing allows for the rapid identification of many of these organisms that can help pinpoint the source of an outbreak, confirm an area has been properly sanitized or as a proactive measure to prevent future outbreaks.”

Zimmetry has professionals ready to respond to sick building, environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting issues at a moment’s notice.  To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental

Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting services.