LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Acute gastroenteritis, video camera and cruise ship
1Hainan Medical University, China (visiting professor)
2Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Serbia (visiting professor)
3Joseph Ayobabalola University, Nigeria (adjunct professor)
Prof. Viroj Wiwanitkit, Wiwanitkit House, Bangkhae, Bangkok, Thailand 10160, e-mail: wviroj@yahoo.com
Sir, the recent report on acute gastroenteritis, video camera and cruise ship is very interesting [1]. Diskin et al. [1] discussed on the use of “surveillance video cameras” as a possible mean to manage the problem. At present, the gastroenteritis on cruise ships becomes a new concern in travel medicine due to increased prevalence [2]. In fact, the port control of the immigrant with infectious disease is usually a difficult thing. The problem can be the same as the problem identified at airports. The short observation by any tool might contribute to detection of the infectious disease. Controlling the problem during the cruise seems to be difficult and the control of infection during the cruise is sometimes unsuccessful. Adopting improved sanitation practices during the cruise can be a good preventive method [3]. The additional process such as mandatory health certification might also be useful. However, this might cause a problem with the privacy of cruise passengers.
REFERENCES
- Diskin A.L., Caro G.M., Dahl E. Acute gastroenteritis and video camera surveillance: a cruise ship case report. Int Marit Health 2014; 65: 20–22.
- Cramer E.H., Blanton C.J., Blanton L.H., Vaughan G.H. Jr, Bopp C.A., Forney D.L. Vessel Sanitation Program Environmental Health Inspection Team. Epidemiology of gastroenteritis on cruise ships, 2001–2004. Am J Prev Med 2006; 30: 252–257.
- Carling P.C., Bruno-Murtha L.A., Griffiths J.K. Cruise ship environmental hygiene and the risk of norovirus infection outbreaks: an objective assessment of 56 vessels over 3 years. Clin Infect Dis 2009; 49: 1312–1317.
