Cruise Ships See Spike in Gastrointestinal Outbreaks in 2025
Over 70 passengers and crew fell ill from norovirus on a Royal Caribbean cruise this month. This was the 19th gastrointestinal outbreak on cruise ships that was severe enough for the CDC to notify the public. Cruise ships have now reported more outbreaks in 2025 than all of last year. The number of cruise outbreaks have ticked up in the last few years, but the CDC cautions that “we yet know if this represents a new trend”. An initial analysis also revealed a “possible overreliance on hand sanitizer on ships”. Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus as effectively as soap and water.
Full Story: USA Today
Prepared Meals Sold at Major Retailers Hospitalize 19 People, Killing 4
Pre-made meals sold at Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Walmart have sickened 20 people due to listeria contamination. The bacterial infections hospitalized 19 people and killed 4, including a pregnant individual who lost their fetus.
Full Story: CIDRAP
