Healthy Sailing

10/07/2025

🚢 New Publication Alert

Mitigating norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships: How timing and isolation make the difference

In our latest article in the Journal of Travel Medicine, we present a model-based analysis evaluating the impact of diagnostic timing and isolation strategies on controlling norovirus spread aboard cruise ships.

🔍 Key Findings:

◾ Superspreading is critical: Just 10% of infected individuals caused 57% of secondary cases, with longer diagnostic delays (mean 83 hrs) and fewer symptoms.

◾ A 72-hour isolation protocol reduced transmission by 71% and cut the effective reproduction number from 9.8 to 4.9.

◾ Earlier diagnosis led to even greater reductions in outbreak size and likelihood of sustained transmission.

These insights support optimizing detection and isolation protocols to prevent and control future outbreaks at sea.

Authored by:

Alfredo De Bellis, PhD | Andrea Bizzotto, MSc | Lemonia Anagnostopoulos, MPH | Leonidas Kourentis, MPH | Valentina Marziano, PhD | Varvara (Barbara) A. Mouchtouri, PhD | Stefano Merler, MSc | Giorgio Guzzetta, PhD

📄 Read the full study: https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaf059 Published in Journal of Travel Medicine, 2025.

AbstractBackground. Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by noroviruses are a common public health issue on cruise ships. Understanding the main drivers

02/07/2025

🚢💻 As part of the Horizon Europe "HEALTHY SAILING" project, the University of Thessaly, EU Shipsan Scientific Association, MSC Cruises, the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), and a Plasma Technology Institute in Germany (IPN) are co-developing a prototype software tool to support the structured development and implementation of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) on cruise ships.

The tool will:

🛠️ Guide users step-by-step through WSP creation (WHO & SHIPSAN-compliant)

📊 Support hazard identification and risk assessment

📍 Map control measures and critical points in the ship’s water systems

📝 Facilitate documentation, monitoring, and audit readiness

👥 Enable team collaboration and track crew training responsibilities

This cross-disciplinary innovation aims to enhance compliance, water safety, and climate resilience in the maritime sector.

21/05/2025

🔬🚢 Technological Demonstration of One-ID Integrated E-Pass in Cruise Travel: Advancing Public Health & Safety at Sea

From 11–14 April 2025, researchers from the HEALTHY SAILING project participated in a landmark technological demonstration of the “integrated e-pass based on the One-ID concept” aboard the Celestyal Discovery, during a 3-night voyage departing Lavrion.

The demonstration showcased the use of RFID-enabled wearable bracelets integrated with the HS E-Surveillance System (E-SS) to enhance:

✔️Crowd control & embarkation efficiency
✔️ Digital health validation
✔️ Automated contact tracing on board

This innovative e-pass solution leverages stationary and portable RFID readers to:

🛂 Validate health credentials in real time

📍 Trace close contacts in shared shipboard environments

🌀 Provide a seamless, secure embarkation experience

🎥 Three successful demonstrations were conducted both onboard and at the

Lavrion cruise terminal, using mock and real-time mock data:

▪️ Crowd management during embarkation/disembarkation
▪️ Contact tracing simulation in dining areas
▪️ Real-time identification at port check-in

Eight researchers from partner institutions (FREDU, SIMFWD, ICCS, NKUA, SHIPSAN, UTH) actively participated, with the technical lead by Prof. Simos Nikolaou (FREDU).

🔍 Next Steps:

The footage collected at Lavrio cruise terminal will be evaluated by UKE to assess feasibility, and partners will finalize procedural guidance and optimize system deployment before scaling implementation.

💡This is a major step forward in integrating public health intelligence with travel , aiming to safeguard both crew and passengers in the cruise industry.

16/05/2025

📢 New research from the Healthy Sailing team!

Did you know that we still lack accurate and comprehensive data on how viruses spread through the air on cruise ships? 🦠🚢

Our newly published review analysed nearly 100 studies and found that:

✅ Very few studies measure onboard aerosol data through experimental studies

🚫 No studies have sampled airborne viruses directly on ships

⚠️ Researchers still know very little about how air moves through ship ventilation systems.

This work is a big step toward safer, healthier passenger travel at sea. 🌊

14/05/2025

🚢 HEALTHY SAILING – Onboard Pilot Testing of E-SS/IIS Systems

📍 Celestyal Discovery | 📆 April 11–14, 2025

Researchers from HEALTHY SAILING project (EU SHIPSAN Scientific Association, UTH, ICCS, SimFWD, NKUA) conducted a pilot test of the E-SS (Integrated e-Surveillance System of Health Threats) and the IIS (Artificial Intelligence Immune System) aboard the Celestyal Discovery.

The pilot testing involved hands-on use of the systems by ship medical staff, who entered mock data and provided valuable feedback for the system improvement.

These systems aim to:
✅ Reduce undetectable and unreported infectious diseases
✅ Expand syndromic surveillance to all infectious diseases
✅ Integrate clinical and environmental lab data
✅ Provide real-time alerts and control recommendations

🔍 The E-SS collects syndromic, lab, and environmental data, generates reports, and feeds them into the IIS, which uses AI to detect threats, suggest , and follow up on public health events.

👏 We thank the ship’s medical personnel for their collaboration and engagement in this important step toward smarter maritime health protection.

14/04/2025

🚢 Healthy Sailing Goes Live in Lavrio!

🎥✨The team was thrilled to spot our passenger health and hygiene awareness video playing at the Port of Lavrio!

As we boarded a vessel to begin our next round of experimental studies, it was incredibly rewarding to see our message reaching travelers right before they set sail.
This is what public health is all about—turning science into impact. 💡🌍

📺 Haven’t seen the video yet?
Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRKLALNjaJ8

🔗 Learn more: https://healthysailing.eu

11/04/2025

Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here HS4U offers a bottom-up evidence approach extending current standardised design and regulatory paradigms toward the shipping industry while promoting principles of modularization and optimization. About the Project Your Content Goes Here All news

12/03/2025

🛳 Smart Decisions, Fun Cruises! 🌊

Your health matters at sea! This short, animated video—developed as part of the HEALTHY SAILING project—helps cruise ship passengers understand the importance of preventing the spread of respiratory diseases on board.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why reporting symptoms early keeps everyone safe

✔️ Simple hygiene practices to prevent illness spread

✔️ How following medical guidance ensures a smooth, enjoyable trip for all

Many on cruise ships start when passengers hesitate to report symptoms. This video addresses common concerns about reporting sickness and highlights how responsible actions contribute to a safer, more enjoyable experience.

📽 Watch here: https://youtu.be/jRKLALNjaJ8?si=GV3fwKK82ekAuFaV

🌟 Be Smart, Stay Healthy, Don’t Miss the Fun! 🌟

Your health matters at sea! This short, animated video—developed as part of the HEALTHY SAILING project—helps cruise ship passengers understand the importanc...

10/03/2025

🚢 Healthy Sailing Newsletter – Latest Updates & Insights! 🌊

The Healthy Sailing Project continues to advance maritime public health, and we’re excited to share our latest newsletter! This issue covers key project milestones, research publications, and upcoming events, including:

🔹 Project Updates – International Scientific Panel, 3rd General Assembly, and Horizon Results Booster

🔹 Research Highlights – Air quality & disease transmission, infectious disease management in ports & ships, crew health risks

🔹 Events – 17th International Symposium on Maritime Health (June 2025) & key past conferences

🔹 Innovations – AI-Water Safety Plan, e-Pass for seamless and secure travel, and new training video on surface disinfection

🔹 HS4U Final Phase – Advancing safer, smarter maritime travel

🌐 Stay informed on the latest developments in maritime public health!

📖 Read the full newsletter here:

https://healthysailing.eu/hs-newsletter-issue-5-february-2025/

  Click below to download it View the Newsletter in HTML format here

05/02/2025

🌊🛳️ Did you know? Infectious diseases can spread rapidly among cruise ship crew members due to unique living and working conditions.

Our team has just published a systematic review in International Maritime Health:

📖 “Factors influencing the occurrence of infectious diseases among crew members on board cruise ships.”

📌 What’s this study about?

👉 It analyzed 12 studies from 2000–2022 to identify the factors that increase infectious disease risks for cruise ship crews.

💡 Key findings:

1. Crew members' socio-demographic characteristics matter.

2. Confined spaces and shared living arrangements on board can facilitate disease spread.

3. Limited healthcare access poses additional challenges.

📌 Read more here: https://journals.viamedica.pl/international_maritime_health/article/view/98558

💡 Let’s work towards healthier seas and safer journeys for everyone!

Infectious diseases have been reported to adversely affect industries including tourism. Understandingthe knowledge, attitudes, and practices of at-risk populations is crucial to implementing successful preventiveand mitigative measures. This systematic review aimed to identify factors that affect t...

15/01/2025

🚢 Exploring New Horizons in Cruise Ship Hygiene & Water Safety

The Healthy Sailing (HS) team recently completed a key milestone of Task 5.4 “AI-Enhanced Water Safety”:

🛳️ During the seven-day visit, the team audited the ship’s water safety plan and evaluated the prototype of an AI-powered decision support tool developed by NKUA, EU Shipsan Scientific Association, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and the HEALTHY SAILING consortium. As part of the study, Baseline Knowledge Attitude Practices surveys and water samples were also collected.

‼️ Stay tuned for more updates ‼️

15/01/2025

🚢 Exploring New Horizons in Cruise Ship Hygiene & Water Safety

The Healthy Sailing (HS) team recently completed a key milestone of Task 5.2 “Surface Cleaning & Disinfection”:

📽️ A training video was developed, demonstrating a step-by-step implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for and in public toilets and cabins.

This video will be part of the toolkit for systematic monitoring of surface cleaning and disinfection developed by EU Shipsan Scientific Association, INP, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and the HEALTHY SAILING consortium.

🙏 A big thank you to the MSC Sinfonia Captain, Officers, and Crew for their amazing support—especially in housekeeping—making this mission a success!

🔛 Stay tuned for more updates ‼️