WASHINGTON — A small expedition ship that operates along the coasts of Alaska and British Columbia has experienced its third gastrointestinal illness outbreak in less than three months, federal health authorities said Friday.
The National Geographic Sea Bird, run by Lindblad Expeditions and licensed to carry up to 62 passengers, logged outbreaks on voyages that sailed May 31–June 5, June 5–June 10 and July 10–July 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Scope of the outbreaks
Across the three cruises this summer, a total of 46 guests and 5 crew members have reported illness characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and other flu-like symptoms. The CDC identified norovirus as the cause of the May and June outbreaks; the agency said the cause of the July outbreak is currently unknown.
| Voyage dates | Illnesses (guests) | Illnesses (crew) | Identified cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31–June 5 | — | — | Norovirus |
| June 5–June 10 | — | — | Norovirus |
| July 10–July 15 | 18 | — | Unknown |
The CDC report lists the cumulative number of cases this summer as 51 people affected. Lindblad Expeditions told federal authorities it increased cleaning and disinfection measures following each event and that ill passengers and crew were isolated during the voyages.
Why this matters for Alaska
Outbreaks on smaller ships can have outsized impacts on travel plans and on perceptions of safety among prospective visitors. Alaska’s coastal communities depend on seasonal tourism for lodging, guiding, retail and fueling services; repeated onboard illnesses can prompt closer scrutiny from public-health officials and could affect booking decisions.
- Smaller vessels like the Sea Bird carry fewer passengers but also sail to remote ports where medical support is limited.
- Norovirus spreads quickly in confined spaces, making rapid cleaning and isolation critical to containment.
- Federal reporting to the CDC allows public-health follow-up and guidance to operators and local health departments.
Public-health guidance for travelers typically emphasizes hand hygiene, avoiding shared food or drink, and reporting symptoms to ship staff promptly. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program monitors outbreaks and posts updates when operators report incidents.
As investigations continue, officials will seek to determine whether the most recent outbreak shares the same cause as earlier ones and whether additional controls are needed to prevent further spread during Alaska’s remaining cruise season.
