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Celebrity Cruises has notified passengers of two confirmed Legionella cases among guests who sailed on the Celebrity Ascent in January 2024. To protect their privacy, further details about the exact Celebrity Ascent sailing or the infected guests’ names or identifying information has not been released. It is not known whether the individuals are related or were traveling together, though that does seem likely. While the cruise line emphasizes that the disease is not contagious between people, it has implemented enhanced sanitation procedures onboard as a preventive measure. There is no confirmed outbreak linked to the ship, and it remains unclear if the guests contracted Legionella during their cruise.
Celebrity Ascent, the newest addition to the Celebrity Cruises fleet, officially set sail in December 2023. This impressive Edge-class ship, boasting a capacity of 3,260 passengers, is currently sailing Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries from Fort Lauderdale. Come late April, she’ll trade the warm waters for the Mediterranean for the summer season.
Legionella is a bacteria commonly found in water environments, including those on cruise ships. It can cause both mild and severe illnesses. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, the more severe form, include fever, cough, chills, and muscle aches. Pontiac fever, a milder form, causes similar symptoms but is generally less severe. Individuals with weakened immune systems or underlying respiratory conditions are at higher risk for complications.
Celebrity Cruises is urging any passengers who experience symptoms associated with Legionnaires’ Disease within 14 days of sailing aboard Celebrity Ascent to seek medical attention and alert medical authorities to their recent travel.
Learn more about Legionnaires’ Disease Claims and Compensation in addition to the percentages of deaths to likely exposures.
To protect yourself and be informed about your rights if you have become ill or injured on a cruise from disease causing bacteria you should contact a lawyer that handles those cases. Click to schedule an appointment or call 1-866-508-5373.
