Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
06/12/05

FROM:
Julia M. Eckstein
Director

SUBJECT: Public Health Notice to Carnival Conquest Passengers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has learned of three individuals who developed pneumonia after a vacation on a Carnival Conquest cruise ship; two of these three individuals were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. Legionnaires' disease is spread through breathing in small water droplets that contain bacteria; it is not spread from person to person.

CDC is trying to determine whether any additional passengers got pneumonia or Legionnaires' disease during or within two weeks of their cruise vacation. The diseases occurred on the same cruise ship on
separate sailings in March, April, and May 2005. The exposure to Legionnaires' disease may have occurred on the ship, while visiting one of the ports of call, or before or after the cruise. CDC is working
with Carnival to identify the source of the illness. Upon CDC's request and in strictest confidence, Carnival has provided CDC with their passenger list and passengers are being contacted to assist with
the investigation. Individuals will not develop Legionnaires' disease after 14 days of exposure.

If you would like to know more on Legionellosis (Legionnaires' disease) you can visit our web site at:
http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Legionellosis/ or if you have questions or concerns relating to this incident, you may contact the Department of Health and Senior Services at 800-392-0272.

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