Adventure Doc
keeping you healthy for life's adventures
Erik McLaughlin MD, MPH
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CRUISES
HEALTH KIT
In 2004, 10.8 million people took North American cruise vacations, and cruising is expected to continue to gain popularity, with an estimated 20.7 million cruise travelers in 2010.
CRUISES
Source: CDC Travelers Health Cruise Section
Cruise ships are basically international floating cities. A gathering place for passengers and crew from all over the world, often in tight quarters, cruise ship medicine has unique requirements. Basic sanitary rules are the key to staying healthy while on-board.
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Handwashing with soap and water for 15 seconds is probably the best protection you can get. Most cruise lines now have "hand sanitizer stations" located throught the ship. Take advantage of these. Clean your hands, especially before eating.
Diarrheal illnesses are the chief concern for passengers. In the last few years, entire cruise ships have been quarantined with viral diarrheal outbreaks. The Norwalk virus has been implicated in several of these outbreaks. "Code Brown" is treated seriously by ship medical staff. Frequent monitoring of potential diarrheal outbreaks are performed by the medical teams and handwashing is the best method of prevention.
The CDC has a special program called the "Vessel Sanitation Program" (VSP) that monitors hygiene of cruise lines and ships.
"VSP shipboard sanitation inspections cover the following areas of public health interest:
1) water supply storage, distribution, disinfection and protection;
2) spas and pools disinfection and filtration;
3) food handling, including storage, preparation, and service;
4) potential for contamination of food, water and ice;
5) personal hygiene and sanitation practices of crew;
6) general cleanliness and condition of the ship, and
7) ship training programs in environmental and public health practices.
An inspection score of 86 or higher (out of 100) indicates an acceptable level of sanitation. In general, the higher the score, the higher the level of sanitation, but this score does not reflect the risk of acquiring gastrointestinal disease."
Source:
Most commercial cruise liners have ship board medical staff, doctors and nurses that look after the health of the passengers and crew. They provide emergency care to the passengers and primary care to the crew. Some of the more common complaints involving passenger care are: lacerations, nausea/vomiting, chest pain, diarrhea, febrile illnesses and fractures/sprains. The ship's sick-bay operates as a small emergency department.
In 2000, the Cruise Ship and Maritime Medicine Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) published ACEP Health Care Guidelines on Cruise Ship Medical Facilities. This book is intended as a guide for minimum standards and proficiency of ship board medical services.
A few useful links to Cruise Ship Medicine and Health
CDC Cruise Ship Health
Mer Sante
ACEP Cruise Ship and Maritime Medicine
BMJ Article on Cruise Ship Doctors
Adventure Medics
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