Nearly 25 guests, crew sick in luxury cruise gastrointestinal outbreak
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Norovirus: Symptoms and prevention of 'stomach flu'
When norovirus cases spike, these are symptoms you should watch out for and measures you can take for prevention.
Twenty-four people reported gastrointestinal illness on a recent Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing.
The CDC is investigating the outbreak, but the cause is currently unknown.
This incident is part of a larger trend of gastrointestinal outbreaks on cruise ships this year.
Nearly 25 people got sick in a gastrointestinal outbreak on a Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailing that ended Wednesday.
Among 666 guests on board its Seven Seas Explorer ship, 22 reported being ill, along with two crew members, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their main symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea.
The health agency listed the causative agent as unknown.
The ship departed from Tokyo on April 26 for a cruise through Japan and Alaska before arriving in Vancouver, according to CruiseMapper. The cruise line consulted with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program and isolated sick guests and crew, among other measures, the agency said.
Regent did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
There have been 17 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that met the CDC's threshold for public notification so far this year, most of which were caused by norovirus. There were 18 outbreaks in all of 2024, and 14 the previous year.
The CDC told USA TODAY in April that although 'the number of recent cruise ship outbreaks has been higher than in years prior to the pandemic, we do not yet know if this represents a new trend.'
'However, CDC data show a newly dominant strain is currently associated with reported norovirus outbreaks on land,' the agency said in an emailed statement. 'Ships typically follow the pattern of land-based outbreaks, which are higher this norovirus season.'
The illness is frequently associated with cruises, but those make up just 1% of all outbreaks reported. Dr. David J. Weber, the Charles Addison and Elizabeth Ann Sanders Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics at the UNC School of Medicine, previously told USA TODAY that the vessels are conducive to the spread of norovirus since passengers and crew are confined to relatively small spaces and often eat together.
'So, most (outbreaks) are not occurring on cruise ships, but the cruise ships are a perfect setting for it,' Weber, who is also a professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, said in April.
Seven Seas Explorer wasn't the only ship with illness on board this month. A number of passengers aboard Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady had stomach flu symptoms during a cruise from Greece to Croatia and Montenegro that ended May 11.
'Out of an abundance of caution, our medical team isolated these travelers and immediately enacted enhanced sanitization procedures, including additional cleaning of cabins and high-contact areas around the ship,' the cruise line said in an emailed statement. 'We are working closely with health officials and their medical professionals.'
The number of impacted passengers and cause of illness were not immediately available.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
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Medscape
3 hours ago
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AMR Isn't Just Coming but Already Undermining Your Practice
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent public health challenges in 2025. This phenomenon occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve resistance to drugs that were once effective. According to the CDC's 2025 report, AMR could lead to as many as 10 million deaths annually by 2050, overtaking major diseases like cancer. AMR stems from the natural evolutionary ability of microbes to survive selective pressure from antimicrobials. This process is significantly accelerated by the overuse and misuse of these drugs in human health, veterinary medicine, and agriculture. Resistant infections often require longer treatment courses, are associated with increased disability and mortality, and lead to extended hospital stays and higher healthcare costs — placing a growing burden on health systems and global economies. The CDC estimates at least 2.8 million resistant infections and over 35,000 related deaths annually in the US alone. 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These resistance mechanisms can coexist within a single organism, giving rise to 'pan-resistant' strains that are unaffected by nearly all available antimicrobial agents. Resistance can emerge rapidly — even during the course of treatment — turning previously susceptible infections resistant mid-therapy and narrowing treatment options dramatically. Recent Trends and Global Data New international data highlight the accelerating spread of AMR, with particularly concerning developments across both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The World Health Organization (WHO)'s 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List documented rising resistance rates in K pneumoniae and E coli , especially in Asia and Africa — regions where therapeutic options remain severely limited. These findings align with projections from a 2024 commentary published in The Lancet , which estimates that AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. 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This poses a serious risk to patients who are immunocompromised and critically ill, particularly in ICUs where infection control remains challenging. Despite the growing threat, treatment pipelines remain thin. While several new antimicrobial agents are under investigation, most remain in preclinical or early clinical stages. The report underscores an urgent need for sustained investment in antimicrobial drug development to replenish a shrinking therapeutic arsenal. Adding to the concern, recent studies describe the emergence of novel resistance mechanisms in gram-positive pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Some strains have developed traits that compromise the efficacy of even newly approved agents — further complicating treatment strategies and escalating costs of care. As AMR continues to evolve across multiple fronts, these findings reinforce the need for comprehensive, coordinated strategies to monitor resistance patterns; support antimicrobial stewardship; and accelerate therapeutic innovation. Economic Toll The global economic impact of AMR could be staggering. The 2024 Lancet commentary projects that AMR could result in up to $100 trillion in economic losses by 2050. The burden is expected to fall disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, where weaker health systems and limited access to effective therapies could exacerbate existing disparities in both health outcomes and economic development. Clinical consequences are already evident in hospitals around the world. Recent research shows that resistant healthcare-associated infections — such as bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonias — are associated with mortality rates approaching 30% higher in patients in resource-limited settings. Contributing factors include poor hospital infrastructure, limited access to diagnostics and therapeutics, and inadequate infection control measures. Meanwhile, a 2024 review highlights the growing threat of hospital-acquired infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa — both of which exhibit high levels of resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. Without effective interventions, these infections may become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to treat, further driving up hospital mortality and straining intensive care resources. Emerging Strategies and Solutions Several promising strategies are being explored to slow AMR progression and strengthen the clinical response. Development of new antimicrobials: Recent research highlights novel compounds designed to overcome common resistance mechanisms. While early in development, these agents may offer new hope against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Alternative therapies: Early-phase studies suggest that bacteriophage therapy and antibacterial nanoparticles could serve as complementary approaches to combat infections that no longer respond to conventional treatments. These technologies are gaining traction but require rigorous clinical validation. Antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance: Effective stewardship programs remain central to the AMR response. Core components include the rational prescribing of antimicrobials, real-time infection surveillance, and access to rapid diagnostic tools for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Education and global awareness: The WHO and CDC continue to emphasize the need for coordinated global education campaigns to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials and curb self-medication — particularly in countries with weak regulatory oversight. National initiatives: In Spain, the 2025-2027 Plan Nacional frente a la Resistencia a los Antibióticos (National Plan against Antibiotic Resistance) stands out as a model. The plan includes enhanced epidemiologic surveillance, increased funding for antimicrobial research, ongoing training for healthcare providers, and public education campaigns. It also calls for integrated action across all levels of the health system to ensure a coordinated national response. Conclusions AMR is no longer a looming threat — it is a present-day global health emergency. Its continued spread is undermining the foundations of modern medicine, with far-reaching consequences for clinical care, public health, and global equity. As resistance mechanisms become increasingly complex and widespread, the therapeutic arsenal is shrinking — particularly in hospital settings and for vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, antibiotic development continues to lag, with most new agents stalled in early-phase research. To avoid a future where routine infections become untreatable, the global response must be ambitious and coordinated. Expanding antimicrobial stewardship, accelerating drug development through sustained investment, and enforcing rational prescribing practices are all urgent priorities. These efforts must be anchored in the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Education and behavior change are equally essential. Clinicians, patients, and policymakers all play a role in preserving the effectiveness of existing antimicrobials. And while emerging therapies such as phage therapy, nanomedicine, and immunomodulation offer hope, they require rigorous testing and clear regulatory pathways before they can be integrated into clinical practice. The window for action is narrowing — but meaningful progress is still possible. With global alignment, scientific innovation, and sustained commitment, the trajectory of AMR can be reversed.
