The analysis cites the 2020 Diamond Princess Covid outbreak, where 619 passengers and crew tested positive, and reviews 127 reported norovirus outbreaks on ships.
It says shared dining, crowded indoor spaces, crew accommodation, ventilation and water systems help spread norovirus, Covid and Legionnaires’, while older passengers and limited onboard medical care can worsen outcomes.
The article says early reporting, isolation, cleaning, vaccination checks and handwashing reduce risk, but cruise ships remain a public-health challenge because travellers share meals, air, water systems and common spaces.
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