08 July 2009

Cruise virus update

Transocean Tours has terminated the voyage of the Marco Polo at Invergordon on the advice of health officials.

It has confirmed that 200 passengers aboard the UK cruise now have symptoms of suspected norovirus.

Four elderly passengers were being treated at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness as a precautionary measure, but they have now been discharged.

Arrangements will be made for all passengers who are fit to travel to be disembarked and repatriated at the earliest opportunity.

Passengers who doctors do not recommend should travel at this time will remain onboard for continued nursing and will be repatriated once fully recovered.

The cruise line said the death of a 74-year-old man on board the cruise was unrelated.

"He had serious underlying health conditions. The cause of death has not yet been identified. A post mortem will be carried out," it said in a statement.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe management of Transocean Tours, the ship owners, Story Cruise Ltd and the NHS authorities are working closely together ensuring the maintenance of the standard Health Protection Agency protocols that are in place to minimise the effect of the virus and eradicate it," added a spokesman.

Marco Polo began her cruise in Tilbury on Saturday (July 4) and yesterday called at Invergordon, where the shipÃ¢â¬â¢s medical staff invited the local port health officials for a common inspection because of the increased number of cases during the previous night.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe ship had previously been on a cruise to Iceland," said the spokesman.

"A very small number of people on board had suffered symptoms of gastro-enteritis during the cruise but this is unrelated to the current outbreak and Port authorities gave the ship a clean bill of health when it docked at Tilbury.Ã¢â¬~

There are a total of 769 passengers plus a crew of 340 persons aboard the vessel.

The cruise line said everyone has been updated and kept informed of developments.

Members of the public who are concerned about relatives on board may call TransoceanÃ¢â¬â¢s UK based general sales agent, Cruise and Maritime Services International Ltd in Dartford, Kent, on 0845 430 0274. Outside office hours, please call 07894 478 969.

By Bev Fearis