Why is norovirus such a problem on cruise ships and not in the general population?

Answer 1

So typically when individuals refer to Norovirus infections they either refer it as the 1 out of 2 diseases known as the "two bucket disease" ( the second disease is Rotavirus) or the cruise ship virus. This is due to the epidemiology and pathogenesis that this particular virus holds. Besides containing high environmental resistance, fewer than 100 particles are needed to induce an infection in an individual and with an associated short incubation period of 2-3 days. Most infections occurs through the fecal-oral route through the experienced vomiting and diarrhea episodes, contaminated individuals, and surfaces that have been expose, along with contaminated food and drinking water. Now, due to the small amount of virus particles needed to induce infection, cruise ships are seen to have there highest infections because it is confined in a closed section (the ship) with extremely high foot traffic of staff and passengers so the virus can spread extremely easy as compared to being on land in a wide open area. Now, cruise ships aren't the only notice sites of infections occurs would include hospitals, retirement homes, schools, and homes.