Guidance for the management of norovirus infection in cruise ships / Norovirus Working Group.

  • Novovirus Working Group
Date:
2007
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Guidance for the management of norovirus infection in cruise ships / Norovirus Working Group. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    3.0 CONTROL MEASURES BY THE ONBOARD INCIDENT TEAM 3.1. For all crew and passengers All patients with diarrhoea and vomiting should, if possible, be examined and treated in their own cabins. Standard medical treatment should be used. If viral gastroenteritis is suspected this should include rehydration and non-sedating anti-emetics. Medical staff should use universal precautions by wearing disposable aprons and gloves when examining all patients with acute gastrointestinal symptoms. 3.2 For crew with symptoms Food handlers and medical staff should be quarantined for at least 48 hours following resolution of their symptoms. Other crew should be isolated until symptom free for 48 hours. Cabin companions of affected individuals should ideally be allocated jobs in non-food or beverage areas until 48 hours has passed and actively monitored for a further 24 hours. Every attempt should be made to relocate unaffected cabin companions in alternate accommodation. 3.3 For passengers All passengers diagnosed with gastroenteritis should be asked to remain in their cabins for at least 24 hours after full resolution of their symptoms. They should be offered and advised to use room service. They should not be allowed eat in any buffet areas until they have been asymptomatic for 48 hours They should also be encouraged to use their cabin en-suite facilities for a further 24 hours (i.e. a total of 72 hours symptom-free). 3.4 Stop all self service of food to passengers and crew Remove shared snacks and open ‘nibbles’ from communal areas. All food should be consumed only in the restaurants or food outlets. Cabin service should be provided for affected passengers and crew who are isolated. Affected passengers should not use communal facilities during their period of