The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks
Objectives: To describe the impact of universal screening for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on passengers on cruise ships docking in Sydney, Australia, during 2022 that experienced a significant outbreak of COVID-19. Type of program or service: Cruise ship disease surveillance Methods: C...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Sax Institute
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Public Health Research & Practice |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3342338 |
| _version_ | 1797403737789038592 |
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| author | Adam Capon Sandra Chaverot Anthea L Katelaris Mark Ferson Natalie Klees Christine Selvey Vicky Sheppeard |
| author_facet | Adam Capon Sandra Chaverot Anthea L Katelaris Mark Ferson Natalie Klees Christine Selvey Vicky Sheppeard |
| author_sort | Adam Capon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: To describe the impact of universal screening for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on passengers on cruise ships docking in Sydney, Australia, during 2022 that experienced a significant outbreak of COVID-19.
Type of program or service: Cruise ship disease surveillance
Methods: Case series, based on analysis of cruise ship voyages where universal screening of passengers was requested by a NSW health authority and undertaken by the cruise ship.
Results: Of 111 voyages in 2022, three fit the definition for this study. Universal screening during these voyages resulted in the detection of up to 1.8 times the number of existing COVID-19 cases, increasing attack rates of the three voyages from 14% to 24%; 13% to 28%; and 3% to 8% respectively. Case demographics showed an even gender distribution, with a majority 70 years or older. Asymptomatic case percentage ranged from 2% to 54%, with age and gender not associated with symptomatic status. Almost all cases were reported as being fully vaccinated. Genomic testing of cases showed multiple lineages of COVID-19 circulating in all three voyages.
Lessons learnt: Public health authorities, the cruise industry and passengers should be aware that a large number of unidentified cases of COVID-19 may disembark from a cruise ship that has experienced a large outbreak of the virus. These cases can seed the infection into vulnerable communities. Universal screening as part of the response to a significant outbreak will help identify cases and limit the spread of COVID-19. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T02:42:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dbe946ec0dc447308dfe13ced40d3902 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2204-2091 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T02:42:44Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Sax Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Health Research & Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-dbe946ec0dc447308dfe13ced40d39022023-12-06T01:57:11ZengSax InstitutePublic Health Research & Practice2204-20912023-12-0133410.17061/phrp3342338The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaksAdam Capon0Sandra Chaverot1Anthea L Katelaris2Mark Ferson3Natalie Klees4Christine Selvey 5Vicky Sheppeard6South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, AustraliaSouth Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, AustraliaSouth Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, AustraliaSouth Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia; School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, AustraliaHealth Protection NSW, NSW Health, Sydney, AustraliaHealth Protection NSW, NSW Health, Sydney, AustraliaSouth Eastern Sydney Local Health District, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, AustraliaObjectives: To describe the impact of universal screening for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on passengers on cruise ships docking in Sydney, Australia, during 2022 that experienced a significant outbreak of COVID-19. Type of program or service: Cruise ship disease surveillance Methods: Case series, based on analysis of cruise ship voyages where universal screening of passengers was requested by a NSW health authority and undertaken by the cruise ship. Results: Of 111 voyages in 2022, three fit the definition for this study. Universal screening during these voyages resulted in the detection of up to 1.8 times the number of existing COVID-19 cases, increasing attack rates of the three voyages from 14% to 24%; 13% to 28%; and 3% to 8% respectively. Case demographics showed an even gender distribution, with a majority 70 years or older. Asymptomatic case percentage ranged from 2% to 54%, with age and gender not associated with symptomatic status. Almost all cases were reported as being fully vaccinated. Genomic testing of cases showed multiple lineages of COVID-19 circulating in all three voyages. Lessons learnt: Public health authorities, the cruise industry and passengers should be aware that a large number of unidentified cases of COVID-19 may disembark from a cruise ship that has experienced a large outbreak of the virus. These cases can seed the infection into vulnerable communities. Universal screening as part of the response to a significant outbreak will help identify cases and limit the spread of COVID-19.https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3342338 |
| spellingShingle | Adam Capon Sandra Chaverot Anthea L Katelaris Mark Ferson Natalie Klees Christine Selvey Vicky Sheppeard The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks Public Health Research & Practice |
| title | The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks |
| title_full | The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks |
| title_fullStr | The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks |
| title_full_unstemmed | The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks |
| title_short | The value of universal screening for COVID-19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks |
| title_sort | value of universal screening for covid 19 cases on cruise ships during outbreaks |
| url | https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3342338 |
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