The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning after multiple American Cruise Line passengers were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The FDA found evidence of the bacteria that causes the disease within the potable water systems of the cruise ships, American Star and American Heritage, following an investigation between December 2021 and August 2022.

The FDA released its warning in a letter to American Cruise Line’s Executive Vice President, Paul E. Taiclet, on January 24, 2023. 

On April 30, 2022, FDA investigators collected ten (10) biofilm swabs and fourteen (14) bulk one-liter potable water samples from various locations on your vessel. The Maryland Department of Health laboratory recovered Legionella from:

Biofilm Swabs (60% of samples positive):
• 5 Showerhead pipes in passenger cabins
• Wait station hand sink faucet aerator in the galley.

Potable Water (93% of samples positive):
• 7 Showerhead pipes in passenger cabins
• 2 Showerhead pipes in crew rooms
• Wait station hand sink faucet aerator in the galley
• Galley prep sink faucet aerator
• Potable water holding tank
• Post pump (b)(4) hot water return spigot.

The letter went on to say that the cruise line did not change procedures regarding potable water after the CDC notified it on November 5, 2021, and that one of the ship’s passengers was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. For example, not changing procedures for flushing or disinfection, and not performing environmental sampling.

People infected with Legionnaires’ disease normally are exposed to the bacteria, Legionella, from water in showers, hot tubs, or cooling towers that are part of larger air conditioning systems, which are all a part of cruise vessels.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is why these infections should be taken extremely seriously.

Legionella in its natural form rarely causes any type of illness. However, when in man-made settings, such as on a cruise ship, the bacteria can grow if the water is not properly maintained. A person can become infected when they breathe in droplets that contain the bacteria after it has gotten into the air.

People who get sick after being exposed to Legionella can develop two different illnesses, collectively known as legionellosis: Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. Legionnaires’ disease is very similar to other types of pneumonia (lung infection), with symptoms that include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headaches

Legionnaires’ disease can also be associated with other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and confusion. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take longer.

On rare occasions, the disease can prove to be fatal. Fortunately, it can be treated with antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery following treatment. According to the CDC, one in ten people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease die as a result of the infection. Certain risk factors can make the disease fatal, including being 50 years or older, having a weakened immune system or chronic lung disease, or being a chronic smoker.

Cruise ships must do whatever they can to prevent the spread of these types of diseases. According to the FDA, American Cruise Lines has not provided adequate documentation showing new measures and verification of their effectiveness to avoid transmission of the disease on their vessels. If the company fails to address the issue, legal action may result.

American Cruise Lines, however, said they did respond immediately to the FDA letter with the documentation requested. The company says that with new water management policies and equipment on their ships, they have had no further cases of Legionnaires’ disease since 2021.

In their investigation, the FDA found that three passengers who sailed with American Cruise Lines in 2021 were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The FDA found that the cruise line failed to monitor their potable water parameters and disinfection effectiveness on their ships. On the American Star, the FDA found legionella bacteria in showerhead pipes in passenger and crew rooms, a potable water holding tank, and a bathroom faucet aerator.

American Cruise Lines is not the only major cruise company dealing with this disease. Two guests sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Prima were also diagnosed with the disease after traveling on the vessel in late 2022.  Norwegian Cruise Lines is working with the CDC to investigate these cases and prevent further incidents from occurring.

If passengers have questions about what to expect for their upcoming cruise vacations, the CDC recommends they contact their cruise line directly. The CDC posts a listing of all inspection reports and scores, along with corrective action statements given to the cruise lines after the inspection, at www.cdc.gov.  In addition, the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) requires cruise ships to log and report the number of passengers and crew who say they have symptoms of gastrointestinal illnesses.

The Miami-based cruise ship accident and maritime injury law firm of Delgado Trial Attorneys  possess a skill set that few other maritime attorneys can claim. Raul’s extensive experience representing the cruise lines and developing their defense strategies years before they started representing the passengers and crew members that suffered injuries because of the cruise lines’ negligence. Combined with Raul Delgado, Sr.’s  45 years of personal injury experience fighting on behalf of injured accident victims, Delgado Trial Attorneys offers a combination of experience in all types of cruise ship personal injuries unlike any of their competitors.

Our experience allows us to effectively strategize and advocate for every client we represent. We have handled all types of cruise ship passenger accidents over the years with a focus on slip, trip and falls, medical malpractice, FlowRider accidents, sexual assaults, Death on the High Seas, and more. Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation. Virtual sign-ups available. Visit https://cruiselawyermiami.com/ to learn more.

SOURCES:

FDA warns American Cruise Lines of Legionnaires’ cases on ships (usatoday.com)

Signs & Symptoms of Legionnaires Disease (CDC)