Shape CDC Forms for Probing Cruise Ship Health Outbreaks
Published Date: 6/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The CDC is asking for your thoughts on a new form to help investigate cruise ship outbreaks. They want to make sure the form is useful, clear, and not too much work for people to fill out. You’ve got 30 days to share your ideas before the government decides, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Passengers and Crew Face Short Survey Burden
If a cruise ship has an acute gastrointestinal outbreak, CDC may collect information from crew and passengers. The agency estimates 10 investigations per year, 13,000 respondents annually, and an average 15 minutes per respondent (total estimated annual burden 4,063 hours). Respondents may be asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, take part in interviews, or provide biospecimens.
Which Ships Are Covered by Investigations
CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program has jurisdiction over passenger vessels carrying 13 or more people that sail from foreign ports and are within 15 days of arriving at a U.S. port. People on those ships may be subject to the outbreak data collection and response activities described in this notice.
When an Outbreak Triggers a Special Report
CDC's surveillance uses MIDRS and requires a special report when at least 2% of passengers or crew have acute gastrointestinal illness; CDC considers an outbreak to be 3% or more of reportable AGE cases in either population. Reaching these thresholds can prompt rapid public health assistance and data collection.
Rapid Deployment and Possible Onboard Boarding
When the outbreak threshold is met, CDC may deploy a response team to meet the ship in port within 24 hours and, in some cases, board the ship before U.S. arrival and sail back to the U.S. for a detailed evaluation. Data collection for these emergency investigations is expected to be completed in 30 days or less and most investigations involve two to five days of data collection.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16865, Notice of Award of a Sole Source Cooperative Agreement To Fund Ministry of Health Zambia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the award of approximately $15,000,000 for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 funding to Ministry of Health Zambia, subject to the availability of funds. Funding amounts for years 2-5 will be set at continuation. The award will support Zambia through the Ministry of Health (MOH) to lead and oversee the national HIV response in alignment with the U.S. Government's (USG) goal to transition to the host government by 2030.
2026-16852, Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the World Trade Center Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is seeking nominations for membership on the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), in accordance with provisions of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, as amended. The STAC consists of 17 members including experts in fields associated with occupational medicine, pulmonary medicine, environmental medicine, environmental health, industrial hygiene, epidemiology, toxicology, and mental health, and representatives of WTC responders as well as representatives of certified-eligible WTC survivors.
2026-16731, Notice of Award of a Sole Source Cooperative Agreement To Fund the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia
The CDC is awarding $30 million to Ethiopia's Ministry of Health to lead national HIV and TB programs from September 2026 to September 2031. This funding will help improve and manage life-saving health services across the country. The Ministry of Health is the only group authorized to handle this important work, ensuring strong and lasting support for Ethiopia’s fight against HIV and TB.
2026-16706, Order Under Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act Continuing the Suspension of the Right To Introduce Certain Persons From Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces it is issuing an Order under Section 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act, and associated implementing regulations, continuing the suspension of the right to introduce certain persons from countries where an outbreak of a quarantinable communicable disease exists. This Order was issued on August 12, 2026, and shall remain in effect through 4:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Friday, September 11, 2026. This Order may be amended or rescinded prior to that time at the discretion of the Director.
2026-16732, Notice of Award of a Sole Source Cooperative Agreement To Fund University Teaching Hospital in Zambia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the award of approximately $30,000,000, for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 funding to Zambia's University Teaching Hospital (UTH), subject to availability of funds. Funding amounts for years 2-5 will be set at continuation. The award is expected to improve HIV and TB clinical and laboratory service delivery at referral level hospitals and provincial- level referral facilities through the national government referral facility, UTH.
2026-16658, Notice of Award of a Single Source Cooperative Agreement To Fund International Rescue Committee
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), located within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announces the award of approximately $1,000,000 for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 funding to International Rescue Committee (IRC), subject to availability of funds. Funding amounts for years 2-5 will be set at continuation. The award will allow CDC to support the implementation of strategies to reduce the transmission of communicable and emerging diseases in mobile populations in overseas settings.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-10515, Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
The CDC is asking for your thoughts on a new way they want to collect feedback about their services. They’re giving everyone 30 more days to share ideas on how to make this process easier and better, especially by using tech to save time. This helps the CDC improve while keeping the paperwork light and efficient—no extra costs or hassles expected!
Next: 2025-10517, Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review
The CDC is asking for your thoughts on a new form to check how well a health program is working. They want to make sure the form is useful, clear, and not too much work for people to fill out. You’ve got 30 days to share your ideas before the government decides, so don’t miss out!