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

Ann-Christin Kordsmeyer, Natascha Mojtahedzadeh, Jan Heidrich, Kristina Militzer, Thomas von Münster, Lukas Belz, Hans-Joachim Jensen, Sinan Bakir, Esther Henning, Julian Heuser, Angelina Klein, Nadine Sproessel, Axel Ekkernkamp, Lena Ehlers, Jens de Boer, Scarlett Kleine-Kampmann, Martin Dirksen-Fischer, Anita Plenge-Bönig, Volker Harth and Marcus Oldenburg
Additional contact information
Ann-Christin Kordsmeyer: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Natascha Mojtahedzadeh: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Jan Heidrich: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Kristina Militzer: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Thomas von Münster: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Lukas Belz: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Hans-Joachim Jensen: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Sinan Bakir: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitative Medicine, Medical University Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
Esther Henning: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitative Medicine, Medical University Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
Julian Heuser: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitative Medicine, Medical University Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
Angelina Klein: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitative Medicine, Medical University Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
Nadine Sproessel: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitative Medicine, Medical University Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
Axel Ekkernkamp: Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery and Rehabilitative Medicine, Medical University Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Germany
Lena Ehlers: Hamburg Port Health Center (HPHC), Institute for Hygiene and Environment, 20537 Hamburg, Germany
Jens de Boer: Hamburg Port Health Center (HPHC), Institute for Hygiene and Environment, 20537 Hamburg, Germany
Scarlett Kleine-Kampmann: Hamburg Port Health Center (HPHC), Institute for Hygiene and Environment, 20537 Hamburg, Germany
Martin Dirksen-Fischer: Hamburg Port Health Center (HPHC), Institute for Hygiene and Environment, 20537 Hamburg, Germany
Anita Plenge-Bönig: Infectious Diseases Surveillance Center, Institute for Hygiene and Environment, 20539 Hamburg, Germany
Volker Harth: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
Marcus Oldenburg: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-26

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: cargo ships; COVID-19; cruise ships; navy vessels; outbreak management; SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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