‘You only have so much space’: the limits of reducing infection risk on cruise ships

It is hardly a surprise that outbreaks can occur and experts say many of the factors involved are not easy to change It was a voyage that promised such stuff as dreams are made of, yet within weeks the Atlantic expedition of the MV Hondius had become a nightmare, with three passengers dead from hantavirus and more showing symptoms. Meanwhile, an outbreak of norovirus is under investigation on another cruise ship, while flu, E coli and varicella – the virus that causes chickenpox – have also c...

By Nicola Davis Science correspondent