Consumer News: What to know before you book your spring break trip

Between 2% and 3% of those on board were reported sick

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• More than 150 passengers and crew members fell ill during a recent Princess Cruises voyage after a norovirus outbreak aboard the Star Princess, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• The illness affected 104 passengers and 49 crew members during a seven-day Caribbean cruise that departed Fort Lauderdale on March 7.

• Cruise officials responded by isolating sick individuals and increasing sanitation measures while the CDC launched an investigation.

More than 150 people became ill during a recent Caribbean cruise aboard a Princess Cruises ship, prompting an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The outbreak occurred on the Star Princess during a seven-night voyage from March 7 to March 14, according to the CDCs Vessel Sanitation Program, which monitors gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships that call at U.S. ports. A total of 153 people 104 passengers and 49 crew members reported symptoms during the trip.

The ship was carrying 4,307 passengers and 1,561 crew members at the time of the outbreak, meaning roughly 23% of those onboard reported illness.

Health officials said the predominant symptoms were vomiting and diarrhea, which are typical signs of norovirus, a highly-contagious virus that causes gastrointestinal illness and spreads easily in close quarters.

Outbreak reported mid-voyage

The outbreak was first reported to the CDC on March 11, several days after the ship departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Under federal guidelines, cruise lines must notify the CDC when at least 2% of passengers or crew report gastrointestinal illness, a threshold that was surpassed during the sailing.

Princess Cruises said it implemented a series of containment measures once cases began to rise. According to the CDC, the ships crew:

• Increased cleaning and disinfection procedures.

• Isolated sick passengers and crew members.

• Collected stool samples from ill individuals for testing.

• Consulted with CDC officials on sanitation protocols.

After the ship returned to Fort Lauderdale on March 14, it underwent additional deep cleaning before departing on its next voyage, officials said.

CDC investigating

The CDC is conducting an environmental assessment and outbreak investigation to determine how the illness spread and to help prevent further transmission.

Norovirus outbreaks are occasionally reported on cruise ships because the virus can spread rapidly in crowded environments and can survive on surfaces such as railings and door handles if sanitation practices are not strict.

While the number of cases reported during a cruise reflects the total number of people who became sick at any point during the voyage, the CDC notes that they were not necessarily ill at the same time.

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Researchers combine human data and lab experiments to investigate possible brain effects

• Long-term exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos was associated with more than a 2.5-fold higher risk of Parkinsons disease.

• The study combined human population data with experiments in mice and zebrafish to examine how the chemical affects brain cells.

• Researchers found the pesticide may damage dopamine-producing neurons by disrupting the brains natural protein-cleanup process.

A widely used agricultural pesticide may be linked to a significantly higher risk of Parkinsons disease, according to a new study from researchers at UCLA Health published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration.

The research focused on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that has been used on crops for decades. While residential uses were banned in the United States in 2001 and agricultural uses have been restricted more recently, the chemical is still used on some crops domestically and remains widely used in other countries.

Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can cause symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination. Scientists have long suspected that environmental exposures including pesticides may contribute to the condition in some cases, alongside genetic factors.

The new research aimed to identify whether a specific pesticide might play a role and to better understand the biological mechanisms that could connect exposure to Parkinsons disease.

The study

To explore the potential link, the researchers analyzed health data from 829 people diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and 824 people without the condition. All participants were part of UCLAs long-running Parkinsons Environment and Genes (PEG) study.

The team estimated participants exposure to chlorpyrifos by combining residential and workplace address histories with detailed pesticide-use records from California. This allowed them to determine whether people had lived or worked near areas where the pesticide was applied over time.

The researchers also carried out laboratory experiments to examine how chlorpyrifos might affect the brain. In one set of tests, mice were exposed to aerosolized chlorpyrifos for 11 weeks using inhalation methods designed to mimic how people could encounter the pesticide in real life.

Additional experiments were conducted in zebrafish, which scientists often use to study neurological processes, to investigate the biological pathways that might be involved in the chemicals effects on nerve cells.

The results

The analysis showed that people with long-term residential exposure to chlorpyrifos had more than a 2.5-times higher risk of developing Parkinsons disease compared with people who were not exposed.

Results from the laboratory experiments provided clues about why this association might occur.

Mice exposed to the pesticide developed movement problems and lost dopamine-producing neurons the same type of brain cells that are damaged in Parkinsons disease. The exposed mice also showed brain inflammation and abnormal buildup of alpha-synuclein, a protein known to accumulate in Parkinsons disease.

Experiments in zebrafish suggested the pesticide disrupts autophagy, a cellular process that normally helps clear damaged proteins from cells. When this cleanup process was restored or when the problematic protein was removed, researchers observed that neurons were protected from damage.

Together, the findings suggest that chlorpyrifos exposure may contribute to Parkinsons disease risk and point to specific biological pathways that scientists could study further in future research.

This study establishes chlorpyrifos as a specific environmental risk factor for Parkinson's disease, not just pesticides as a general class, researcher Dr. Jeff Bronstein said in a news release.

By showing the biological mechanism in animal models, we've demonstrated that this association is likely causal. The discovery that autophagy dysfunction drives the neurotoxicity also points us toward potential therapeutic strategies to protect vulnerable brain cells.

Costco hints at price cuts if tariff money comes back

• Tariff refunds could lower prices.Costco CEO Ron Vachris said the warehouse club would likely pass any tariff refunds back to members through lower prices or better deals.

• Refunds are still uncertain. The Supreme Court ruled certain tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act exceeded presidential authority, but refund timing and amounts remain unclear.

• Imported goods may drop in price. Items like cookware, electronics, and home goods could see small price decreases if refunds are issued.

In a recent earnings call, Costco CEO Ron Vachris said if it receives refunds tied to recently overturned tariffs, the warehouse giant plans to pass that value back to members.

While a rebate check in the mail would be the best-case outcome for most members, the savings would most likely appear through lower prices or better deals.

The promise reinforces Costcos long-standing approach to keeping their margins low while focusing on delivering the best value.

Tariff refunds remain uncertain

Costco is one of more than a thousand companies that challenged tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Supreme Court recently ruled those tariffs exceeded presidential authority, opening the door for potential refunds to businesses that paid them.

However, the refund process remains unclear, including how much Costcomight get, or when the money would arrive.

If Costco does receive money back, the company says it plans to return that value to members.

As weve done in the past our commitment will be to find the best way to return this value to our members through lower prices and better values, Vachris said.

Why Costco handles savings differently

Unlike many retailers, Costco earns a large portion of its profits from annual membership fees rather than product markups. That business model allows the company to keep margins thin and focus on maintaining the lowest possible prices.

Analysts say returning tariff savings to shoppers fits perfectly with Costcos strategy of protecting membership loyalty and renewals.

It also explains why the company has historically absorbed some cost increases rather than immediately raising prices. In fact, executives noted that in many cases, Costco did not pass the full cost of tariffs on to members over the past year.

Actionable tip for Costco shoppers

If tariff-related savings start flowing back to retailers, keep an eye on categories heavily affected by import taxes, including cookware, home goods, textiles, and electronics.

Costco executives have already said they are lowering prices on some affected items as tariffs shift, which means shoppers may start seeing small price drops appear on shelves before any formal refund process is finalized.

• Watch for price adjustments on imported goods. Tariffs primarily affect imported products. If refunds flow back to retailers, categories like kitchen appliances, cookware, small electronics, furniture, and home goods are the most likely to see gradual price drops at Costco.
• Track prices on items you buy regularly.Costco doesnt typically advertise every price reduction. Pay attention to the shelf price of items you buy often. If tariffs are refunded, you may notice subtle price decreases over time rather than a big promotional event.
• Time bigger purchases around seasonal sales. Even if tariff refunds do end up lowering some everyday prices, be aware that Costco runs its biggest deals during end-of-season resets, often in conjunction with their monthly coupon book. By waiting for those promotions, you can stack seasonal discounts along with any tariff-related price drops.