Outbreak of pneumonia associated with a cruise ship, 1994

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 22, 1994

On July 15, 1994, the New Jersey State Department of Health notified CDC of six persons hospitalized with pneumonia. An investigation was initiated to determine the etiology and potential sources and modes of transmission of the illness. These persons traveled between New York City and Bermuda aboard the cruise ship Horizon (Celebrity Cruise Line, port of origin: New York City) from June 25 through July 2. Subsequent investigations have identified 16 additional persons with pneumonia who had traveled on the vessel since May 28, 1994. Initial laboratory tests indicate Legionella sp. infection (Legionnaires' disease) has been confirmed in four of the 22 patients; specimens for laboratory testing are being collected from the other patients.

Physicians evaluating persons who developed pneumonia within 2 weeks after travel aboard the Horizon are encouraged to report these cases immediately to CDC through local or state health departments. Updated information is available from CDC's Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, telephone (404) 639-3057.

Reported by. C Genese, MJ Hung, S Paul, MD, J Brook, MD, L Finelli, KC Spitalny, MD, State Epidemiologist, New Jersey State Dept of Health. BA Mojica, MD, KJ Mohoney, MSW, RT Hefferman, MPH, Div of Disease intervention, New York City Dept of Health; SF Kondracki, DL Morse, MD, State Epidemiologist, New York State Dept of Health. JT Rankin, Jr DVM, State Epidemiologist, Pennsylvania Dept of Health. A Hadler, MD, State Epidemiologist, Connecticut Dept of Public Health and Addiction Svcs. Child and Respiratory Diseases Br, Div of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases; Div of Quarantine, National Center for Prevention Svcs; Office of the Director, National Center for Environmental Health; Div of Field Epidemiology, Epidemiology Program Office, CDC