CDC Investigates Third Gastrointestinal Outbreak on Alaska Expedition Vessel in Eight Weeks

A gastrointestinal illness outbreak aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird has prompted a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigation, continuing a troubling pattern on the Lindblad Expeditions vessel. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program documented the outbreak on July 15, with reports of illness first emerging July 12 during the ship’s seven-day voyage between Sitka and Juneau, Alaska.

Eighteen of the 62 passengers aboard the 152-foot expedition ship fell ill during the most recent incident, representing roughly 30 percent of those on board. Affected individuals experienced vomiting and abdominal cramps as primary symptoms. The outbreak marks the third such occurrence on the vessel since late May, raising concerns about sanitation and disease prevention protocols.

Crew members isolated sick passengers and intensified cleaning and disinfection efforts in accordance with the ship’s outbreak response procedures. The CDC has not yet identified the causative agent, though norovirus commonly triggers such illnesses on cruise vessels. Laboratory samples from affected individuals remain pending confirmatory testing, according to health officials.

The Vessel Sanitation Program is conducting remote monitoring of the situation and reviewing the ship’s response measures and sanitation protocols. Neither Lindblad Expeditions nor National Geographic Expeditions immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.

The outbreak follows several high-profile cruise-related health crises in recent months, including a hantavirus incident aboard the MV Hondius in April linked to three deaths and a norovirus outbreak affecting more than 100 people on the Caribbean Princess.