Severe vomiting on Bonaire dive trip 2-2017

[jazz71188]

3 divers - 2 had sudden onset all night vomiting and diahrrea and chills after 3 days diving at Bonaire. 3rd diver became ill 24 hours later- same symptoms. 3rd diver vegetarian- did not eat same meals. Anyone else?

 

[KathyV]

It sounds like Norovirus, that infects the water supply - so it doesn't matter if you are a vegetarian or not.

 

[jazz71188]

Thanks Kathy! The 4th person - non- diver- did not get sick.....

 

[DustyC]

Thanks Kathy! The 4th person - non- diver- did not get sick.....

Did the divers use a rinse tank?

 

[jazz71188]

Yes- we used the rinse tanks at the air tank drive thru at Buddy Dive- which had separate tank for regulators.... good point!!

 

[Altamira]

It sounds like Norovirus, that infects the water supply - so it doesn't matter if you are a vegetarian or not.

That is why I never put my regs or mask in a rinse tank, and why I drink only bottled water on the dive boat.

 

[redacted]

Yes- we used the rinse tanks at the air tank drive thru at Buddy Dive- which had separate tank for regulators.... good point!!

I have never seen cleaner looking rinse tanks anywhere than those a Buddy drive through. Did you report the illness to their office? If it is coming from Buddy, there should be others.

 

[crabbyfiddler]

It sounds like Norovirus, that infects the water supply - so it doesn't matter if you are a vegetarian or not.

Norovirus has been making the rounds stateside. Looking at the CDC site, the virus seems to peak around February. Would make sense that a popular destination for tourists would suffer the same kind of stats. So sorry!

 

[Altamira]

I have never seen cleaner looking rinse tanks anywhere than those a Buddy drive through. Did you report the illness to their office? If it is coming from Buddy, there should be others.

I view the water in the regulator or mask rinse tanks at all dive shops/boats the same way I do the water in the kiddie pool. While it might look clean, I sure as hell am not going to put it in my mouth or regulator/mask.

 

[jazz71188]

There was another diver at Buddy who was sick- with a different group... she thought it was food borne also.....