The Cruise lines from all over the world have been hit hard with outbreaks of the “Stomach Flu.” This concerning illness is known as gastroenteritis and it can be caused by a handful of different bacteria and viruses. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the “norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States.”(cite cdc overview). Cruise lines have taken large measures to prevent and contain the spread of the norovirus but the latest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean, has been greatly impacted by the norovirus with over 600 passengers infected.
Discussion
Gastroenteritis can be caused by a number of different microorganisms and viruses. Viruses that are capable of causing such symptoms include the rotavirus, norovirus, and the adenovirus. But according to the CDC, “50% of all food borne outbreaks of gastroenteritis are caused by the norovirus (cite book).” The norovirus differs from other gastroenteritis viruses. This virus comes from the family Calicivirdae. The viral genome of the norovirus is made up of single stranded RNA. The capsid, which protects the virus genetic material, is formed in a spherical shape called icosahedral. Some viruses contain envelops made up of host derived bilipid layer. But the norovirus lacks this outer component which makes them part of viruses classified as unenveloped or naked viruses. The norovirus is a strong virus that is capable of enduring harsh environments and withstanding changes in ph and heat. According to ABC’s chief correspondent, Dr. Richard Besser, “The virus cannot be killed by alcohol sanitizer.” This can be very problematic when it comes to trying to contain the virus. The route of transmission is either direct o...
... middle of paper ...
...oyal Caribbean claims that passengers are screened for visible signs of illness before boarding. However, that is can be an issue since some people may be carriers and be asymptomatic.
Conclusion
Gastroenteritis is an unpleasant disease. It can be caused by a number of different bacteria and viruses. The norovirus is usually the culprit for the majority of cases in the United States. The cruise line industry has been substantiality hindered by outbreaks of the norovirus. The most recent case was the infectious outbreak on the Royal Caribbean. Many people have questioned the sanitation practices of the cruise lines and possibly blaming them for the outbreak. But the norovirus is an easily spreadable and can be done without even having the slightest symptom. Places that are in close quarters, such as cruise lines, can be the most vulnerable places for an outbreak.
Irregular bowel movements or constipation is quite a major and common concern in adults and babies as well. The condition becomes more challenging when it comes to babies. Parents of infants worry when their infant’s bowel movement is not regular and clear as that causes formation of gas and stomach pain.
The main purposes of the colon are to absorb water and electrolytes to compact the feces for expulsion and expulsion of the feces. The length of the colon is roughly one to one and a half meters and the diameter spans from two to eight centimeters. The colon is made up of seven sections. These sections are the cecum, the ascending colon, the transverse colon, the descending colon, the sigmoid colon, the rectum and the anal canal.
Crohn’s disease is a disease that causes inflammation, swelling, and irritation to any part of the digestive tract which is also known as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract. The disease most commonly targets the ileum which is a part in the small intestine. The digestive tract is organs that connect your mouth to your anus and it releases hormones and enzymes for the digestion in food. The inflammation caused by the disease goes deep into the lining of the digestive tract. It creates a stricture in the small intestine which is a narrowing of the pathway that can slow the movement of food through the intestine. The stricture can then move to large intestine which can cause many problems for absorption. When the disease causes the intestine to swell it can also be very problematic because the large intestine wouldn’t be able to function properly. Crohn’s disease is considered as an inflammatory bowel disease.
In the beginning, the Italian town of Genoa was one of the busiest ports in Europe. Ships sailed from there to trade all over the Mediterranean Sea. In October of 1347, 12 merchant ships sailed from Caffa to Italy. A strange disease had infected the crew of these ships. Dying bodies lay aboard the ships. City officials, afraid that the disease might spread, issued an order that no person or piece of merchandise was to leave the ships. They even forbade medical treatment for the sick sailors and passengers. The disease still spread. The officials had not considered that the rats from the ships were able to leave the ships by crawling along the ropes that were tied to the ships. From Italy, the disease spread all over Europe, traveling along the major trade routes. The rats were responsible for carrying the disease, which was transmitted by fleas from infected rats. The fleas drank the rats' blood that carried the bacteria. The bacteria multiplied in the flea's gut. While the fleas gut was clogged with bacteria, the flea bit the human and regurgitated blood into the wound.
Ulcerative colitis progresses from the rectum and moves proximally. Distal disease refers to inflammation that is limited to the rectum (proctitis) or rectum and sigmoid colon. Here it is referred to as proctosigmioditis. If the disease is more extensive it includes the left side of the colon and can cover the splenic flexure. This occurs in 40% of patients. Extensive colitis occurs up to the hepatic flexure. Pan colitis affects the whole of the colon and this can affect up to 20% of patients. Some patients with pan colitis have involvement of the terminal ileum, this is caused by an incompetent ileocaecal valve.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both in a category of diseases called Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. This is a classification of disease in which inflammation forms in a part of the digestive tract, known as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract, of the patient. The immune system then treats this area of inflammation as a foreign pathogen and attacks it. The causes of both of these diseases are currently unknown to the medical world.
Salmonella is one of the most common causes of food poisoning. It is a gram-negative, aerobic (oxygen requiring), rod-shaped bacterium that can infect humans, birds, reptiles, and other animals. It results in the swelling of the lining of the stomach and intestines. Salmonella food poisoning occurs worldwide, however it is most frequently reported in North America and Europe. In the United States, Salmonella is responsible for about 15% of all cases of food poisoning (Salmonella food poisoning).
I. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Health and Economic Burdens of Norovirus Disease – The health burden of foodborne norovirus is significant (Painter et al., 2013). Norovirus causes a significant morbidity in terms of the number of outbreaks and associated illnesses each year in the United States. Hall et al. (2013) analyzed surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and derived estimates for AGE (acute gastroenteritis) associated with norovirus and found that about 19 to 21 million AGE illnesses, 400,000 emergency room visits, 1.7 to 1.9 million outpatient visits, 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations, and 570 to 800 deaths are caused by norovirus disease (Hall et al., 2013). ). There is an estimated 1 million pediatric cases requiring health provider intervention, 1 out of every 14 children will require emergency room intervention and 1 out of every 6 children will require outpatient intervention (Wikswo & Hall, 2012; Hall et al., 2013).
Enterococcus faecalis is a genus of gram positive cocci and form short chains or are arranged in pairs. They are nonmotile, facultative anaerobic organisms and can survive in harsh conditions in nature. There are over 15 species of the Enterococcus genus but about 90% of clinical isolates are E. faecalis. E. faecalis is a nosocomial pathogen because it is commonly found in the hospital environment and can cause life-threatening infections in humans. It is a bacterium that normally inhabits the intestinal tract in humans and animals but when found in other body locations it can cause serious infections. The most common sites for E. faecalis infections are the heart, bloodstream, urinary tract, and skin wounds. Due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, many antibiotics have been shown ineffective in the treatment. In this paper, I will describe the ecology and pathology of E. faecalis; the antibacterial resistance; treatment; and, what you can do to prevent Enterococcus infection.
In U.S. waters and ports, the ships had to comply with U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Public Health regulations, the Maritime Transportation Security Act, International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, U.S. Maritime Commission, local port authorities, local and federal law enforcement agencies, and all laws pertaining to the hiring of foreign workers. Under he Center for Disease Control all the cruises are inspected for health issues.
Salmonella enterica typhi (typhoid fever causing bacteria) are parasites with no other known living environment outside of humans (Pike, 2014). Typhoid has the ability to cause large outbreaks and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified Salmonella species with other food safety threats as high priority potential bioterrorism agents (Baggier, Burwen, Haber, & Ball, 2004). Salmonella enterica typhi is one of three species of the Salmonella genus. Typhoid gets its name from Typhos, which means smoke, or to cloud, or vapor. It was thought to be transmitted through a “cloud of sickness called miasma” (Pike, 2014). When someone recovers from typhoid fever, about 3-5% become carriers o...
Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. It causes ulcers in the colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is one of two forms of inflammatory bowel disease. In UC, the inflammation from the ulcers breaks down the lining of the colon and causes bleeding and discomfort in the abdomen.
The most commonly recognized food borne infections are those caused by the bacteria Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli 0157:H7, and by a group of viruses called Calicivirus, also know as the Norwalk viruses. “Thousands of types of bacteria are naturally present in our environment, but not all bacteria cause disease in humans.” (Schmutz 1)
Brown, G. S. (2013, March 8). Royal Caribbean Cruisers Ill With Apparent Norovirus. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/royal-caribbean-passengers-sick-apparent-norovirus/story?id=18687875
Foodborne illnesses which causes vomiting, stomach ache and etc. Is a common problem but usually taken for granted, especially in places where food safety is not properly practiced by the people. This happens because of the lack of knowledge and improper practice of food safety. According to M&M Technologies (2012) “Food safety is a scientific discipline describing handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent foodborne illnesses”. And so, the researchers wanted to find ways that can help raise awareness about food safety. They specifically wanted the selected 3rd year