Two Cruise Ship Passengers Diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease After Returning Home, Says CDC
The following article has been rewritten from information originally presented by royalcaribbeanblog.com You can find a link to the original article at the bottom of the page.
Royal Caribbean has informed passengers of its ship, Symphony of the Seas, that two individuals who sailed in October and December 2024 were later diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after returning home.
The cruise line emphasised that there is no evidence these guests contracted the illness onboard. In response, Royal Caribbean implemented enhanced sanitation measures on Symphony of the Seas, including thorough cleaning of susceptible surfaces and adjustments to operational protocols, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Reddit user b0sscrab posted a copy of a letter distributed to passengers after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Royal Caribbean about the cases.
In a letter sent to passengers, Royal Caribbean stated, “We are reaching out for your awareness, as the CDC has advised that while they are unsure where exposure occurred, two guests who sailed on Symphony of the Seas (one in October and one in December) were later diagnosed with Legionella.”
The cruise line emphasized that there is no evidence linking the infections to the ship itself.
Upon notification, Royal Caribbean implemented enhanced sanitation protocols aboard Symphony of the Seas, including additional cleaning of surfaces and equipment and updates to operational procedures to mitigate any potential risk. “While this does not imply or confirm that they contracted this onboard our ship, as a precautionary measure, we implemented heightened sanitation protocols and followed all CDC guidance,” the letter added.
No further details have been shared about the affected individuals.
As one of the largest cruise ships in the world, Symphony of the Seas has the capacity to carry 5,518 passengers at double occupancy and spans 228,081 gross tons across 18 decks.
Royal Caribbean is urging passengers who experience symptoms associated with Legionnaires’ disease after traveling on Symphony of the Seas to seek medical attention and inform healthcare providers about their recent travel history.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, commonly found in water systems such as hot tubs, air conditioners, and showers. The bacteria are contracted by inhaling water droplets from contaminated sources and are not transmitted from person to person. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches, typically appearing 2-14 days after exposure. Most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella do not become ill.
The CDC continues to investigate these cases to determine the source of exposure. There is no record of any confirmed disease aboard Symphony of the Seas reported to the CDC.
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