tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Int J Environ Res Public Health
. 2021 May 13;18(10):5195.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105195.
Systematic Review on Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on Cruise, Navy and Cargo Ships
Ann-Christin Kordsmeyer[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Natascha Mojtahedzadeh[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jan Heidrich[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Kristina Militzer[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Thomas von Münster[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lukas Belz[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Hans-Joachim Jensen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sinan Bakir[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Esther Henning[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Julian Heuser[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Angelina Klein[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nadine Sproessel[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Axel Ekkernkamp[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Lena Ehlers[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Jens de Boer[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Scarlett Kleine-Kampmann[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Martin Dirksen-Fischer[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Anita Plenge-Bönig[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Volker Harth[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marcus Oldenburg[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
The confined environment of a ship promotes the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to close contact among the population on board. The study aims to provide an overview of outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on board of cruise, navy or cargo ships, to identify relevant outbreak management techniques, related problems and to derive recommendations for prevention. Four databases were searched. The study selection included reports about seroprevalences or clinically/laboratory confirmed infections of SARS-CoV-2 on board ships between the first of January, 2020 and the end of July, 2020. A total of 37 studies were included of whom 33 reported outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on cruise ships (27 studies referred to the Diamond Princess). Two studies considered outbreaks on the Grand Princess, three studies informed about Nile River cruises and one study about the MS Westerdam (mention of multiple outbreaks possible in one study). Additionally, three studies reported outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on navy vessels and one study referred to a cargo ship. Problems in handling outbreaks resulted from a high number of asymptomatic infections, transportation issues, challenges in communication or limited access to health care. Responsible operators need to implement infection control measures which should be described in outbreak management plans for ships to prevent transmission risks, including, e.g., education, testing strategies, communication lines, social distancing and hygiene regulations.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cargo ships; cruise ships; navy vessels; outbreak management.
. 2021 May 13;18(10):5195.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105195.
Systematic Review on Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on Cruise, Navy and Cargo Ships
Ann-Christin Kordsmeyer[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Natascha Mojtahedzadeh[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Jan Heidrich[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Kristina Militzer[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Thomas von Münster[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lukas Belz[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Hans-Joachim Jensen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sinan Bakir[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Esther Henning[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Julian Heuser[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Angelina Klein[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nadine Sproessel[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Axel Ekkernkamp[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Lena Ehlers[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Jens de Boer[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Scarlett Kleine-Kampmann[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Martin Dirksen-Fischer[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Anita Plenge-Bönig[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Volker Harth[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marcus Oldenburg[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34068311
- DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105195
Abstract
The confined environment of a ship promotes the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to close contact among the population on board. The study aims to provide an overview of outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on board of cruise, navy or cargo ships, to identify relevant outbreak management techniques, related problems and to derive recommendations for prevention. Four databases were searched. The study selection included reports about seroprevalences or clinically/laboratory confirmed infections of SARS-CoV-2 on board ships between the first of January, 2020 and the end of July, 2020. A total of 37 studies were included of whom 33 reported outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on cruise ships (27 studies referred to the Diamond Princess). Two studies considered outbreaks on the Grand Princess, three studies informed about Nile River cruises and one study about the MS Westerdam (mention of multiple outbreaks possible in one study). Additionally, three studies reported outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on navy vessels and one study referred to a cargo ship. Problems in handling outbreaks resulted from a high number of asymptomatic infections, transportation issues, challenges in communication or limited access to health care. Responsible operators need to implement infection control measures which should be described in outbreak management plans for ships to prevent transmission risks, including, e.g., education, testing strategies, communication lines, social distancing and hygiene regulations.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cargo ships; cruise ships; navy vessels; outbreak management.