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Brevard County's top-ranking health official is taking a cruise this week amid the worldwide pandemic of the new coronavirus, and she will "limit interactions with others" for 14 days upon return to the United States.

Maria Stahl is administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Brevard, which is headquartered on Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera.

Last week, Stahl participated in a series of media briefings on the coronavirus at the Emergency Operations Center in Rockledge. More than 200 people attended, including county, municipal and public safety officials.

"Upon her return, the DOH-Brevard Administrator Maria Stahl will follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines that are in effect at the time," Anita Stremmel, assistant county Health Department director, said Thursday morning via email.

"The DOH website is updated daily as new information arises, as does the CDC website," Stremmel wrote.

"Current CDC guidelines for travelers on cruises: Travelers should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States. If you become symptomatic, immediately self-isolate and contact your county Health Department or health care provider," she wrote.

The CDC and the U.S. State Department recommend that travelers defer all cruise ship travel worldwide.

"This is a dynamic situation and those traveling by ship may be impacted by travel restrictions affecting their itineraries or ability to disembark or may be subject to quarantine procedures implemented by the local authorities," the CDC website states, among other cruise ship travel warnings.

Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

"The cruise the administrator is on does not travel to any countries currently deemed Level 2 or 3 by the CDC," Stremmel wrote.

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Stahl became Brevard's health administrator in November 2016. She has worked for the Florida Department of Health in Brevard since 1995, including stints as nursing director for community health, school health coordinator and interim administrator during the tenure of former Health Director Heidar Heshmati.

Stahl could not be reached for comment.

Brevard County Emergency Management Director Kimberly Prosser said she looks forward to continue working with Stahl in regards to the coronavirus, whether virtually or in person.

Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health announced that three of the state's COVID-19 cases were employees at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Princess Cruises announced Wednesday it will suspend operations for 60 days worldwide. Viking Cruises announced Tuesday it will cancel all cruises through the end of April.

Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1. To subscribe: https://cm.floridatoday.com/specialoffer/

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