Nearly 200 Royal Caribbean passengers struck down with gastro bug
Almost 200 passengers have been struck down with a gastro bug on mega ocean liner Ovation of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean says 195 cruisers have complained of gastro-intestinal illness and are being treated with over-the-counter medicines.
The ship, one of the world’s largest able to carry 5,800, left Singapore on November 23 and docked in Hobart, Tasmania on Tuesday.
The Tasmanian Health Service is working with the cruise line to stem the spread of the outbreak.
"Cruise ships have their own medical teams, medical surveillance systems, outbreak control measures and are well-trained in treating passengers. The ship has notified health services of two passengers that are likely to require transfer to a hospital for medical assistance.These two cases are not necessarily linked to the gastroenteritis outbreak," a Tasmanian Health Service spokesperson said.
The ship will be ‘comprehensively sanitised and cleansed’ when it docks in Sydney on Thursday and before new passengers board, the cruise line said.
"Meanwhile, we’re taking steps like intensive sanitary procedures to minimise the risk of any further issues."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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