Accessibility.SkipToMainContent
Health and safety

Insights: how the coronavirus spread on cruiseship Diamond Princess

24 March 2020

Covid-19 was likely transmitted first from passengers to crew members and subsequently spread among food service workers on the cruiseship Diamond Princess, according to a report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak of the virus on the cruiseship on 3 February led to the quarantine of approximately 3,700 passengers and crew which lasted for nearly four weeks at the Port of Yokohama, Japan. By 9 February, there were 20 confirmed cases among the ship's crew members.

By the end of quarantine, approximately 700 cases of Covid-19 had been laboratory-confirmed among passengers and crew.

'Because the first detected cases occurred among passengers who became symptomatic on 22 and 23 January, Covid-19 was likely transmitted first from passengers to crew members and subsequently spread among the crew, especially among food service workers,' the report found. 'The first case detected in a crew member occurred in a food service worker who developed fever on 2 February.'

The crew dining area was identified as the primary area of congregation for the crew. Passengers did not have access to this part of the ship.

Up to 15 of the 20 confirmed cases in crew members occurred among food service workers who prepared food for other crew members and passengers. While 16 of the 20 cases occurred among persons with cabins on deck 3, the deck on which the food service workers lived.

Eight of 20 crew members with confirmed Covid-19 had cabin mates and investigators later learned that following disembarkation as of March 4 five of the eight cabin mates had also developed Covid-19.

CDC recommended that people who develop Covid-19 symptoms while on board a ship should be isolated to limit transmission to other passengers and crew.

In early March most cruise companies suspended operations in response to the pandemic.

Nautilus members who are concerned or are experiencing difficulties related to the coronavirus outbreak are advised to contact their industrial organiser for assistance.

•essential updates on Covid-19 are on our Nautilus Coronavirus Resources hub


Tags

More articles

Health and safety

Nautilus FAQs on Covid-19 Coronavirus

  • Telegraph
  • 09 June 2020
Health and safety

Coronavirus – advice to members

Nautilus members will be aware that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the recent coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

  • News
  • 06 February 2020
International

ITF demands global rights for transport workers during Covid-19 pandemic

Nautilus has welcomed a move by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) to ensure that transport workers' rights around the world are upheld during the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Union criticises satellite providers for failing to give crew free internet

Nautilus has criticised plans by satellite service providers to offer crew stuck onboard discounted internet and telecommunications services, calling for free access globally.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Australian ports relax quarantines for transiting seafarers

Maritime unions in Australia have welcomed a decision by Western Australian port authorities to relax rules which meant that seafarers transiting the country had to spend 14 days in quarantine before being allowed to leave.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Government

European Commission approves 'Green Lane' system for free movement of transport workers

In the face of declarations from several EU countries that they will be closing their borders during the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Commission is insisting that there must still be cross-border movement of freight on land and at sea to ensure the delivery of essential supplies.

  • News
  • 24 March 2020
Health and safety

Port authorities failing to give seafarers basic medical care amid Covid-19 pandemic

Unwell seafarers are being denied basic medical care by port authorities struggling to deal with the spread of the Covid-19 virus and are being forced to rely on radio medical advice.

  • News
  • 23 March 2020