Systematic Review on Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on Cruise, Navy and Cargo Ships

TY - JOUR

T1 - Systematic Review on Outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 on Cruise, Navy and Cargo Ships

AU - Kordsmeyer, Ann-Christin

AU - Mojtahedzadeh, Natascha

AU - Heidrich, Jan

AU - Militzer, Kristina

AU - von Münster, Thomas

AU - Belz, Lukas

AU - Jensen, Hans-Joachim

AU - Bakir, Sinan

AU - Henning, Esther

AU - Heuser, Julian

AU - Klein, Angelina

AU - Sproessel, Nadine

AU - Ekkernkamp, Axel

AU - Ehlers, Lena

AU - de Boer, Jens

AU - Kleine-Kampmann, Scarlett

AU - Dirksen-Fischer, Martin

AU - Plenge-Bönig, Anita

AU - Harth, Volker

AU - Oldenburg, Marcus

PY - 2021/5/13

Y1 - 2021/5/13

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - COVID-19

KW - Disease Outbreaks

KW - Government Agencies

KW - Humans

KW - SARS-CoV-2

KW - Ships

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph18105195

DO - 10.3390/ijerph18105195

M3 - SCORING: Review article

C2 - 34068311

VL - 18

SP - 5195

JO - INT J ENV RES PUB HE

JF - INT J ENV RES PUB HE

SN - 1660-4601

IS - 10

ER -