Pacific Dawn: We’re in the clear
SYDNEY – No passengers onboard Pacific Dawn have tested positive to human swine flu, P&O Cruises confirmed today.
Three crew members sailing on Pacific Dawn have made a full recovery with the company receiving confirmation from Queensland Health this morning they have tested positive to human swine flu.
The crew remain in isolation and have been treated with anti-viral medication to ensure the virus is contained.
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said contrary to media reports, Pacific Dawn has not been quarantined.
Earlier, Ms Sherry said it was “grossly unfair to suggest that P&O Cruises has been anything other than open and honest in our communication with passengers at all timesâ€.
The company sent swabs for two passengers ashore yesterday. These tested negative to human swine flu although the passengers remain in isolation to contain seasonal influenza.
“These results confirm that our measures have been very effective with no evidence of any person-to-person transmission of human swine flu on the ship,†Ms Sherry said.
“Australia is in the middle of the seasonal flu season and it is not unexpected that two passengers out of about 2000 may be experiencing normal flu-like symptoms.â€
Ms Sherry said the company’s onboard processes exceeded World Health Organisation requirements in successfully identifying, managing and containing flu cases.
Ms Sherry said that P&O Cruises had altered Pacific Dawn’s present cruise itinerary at the request of the Queensland Government.
“The ship will no longer visit any North Queensland ports because there are unique concerns about the risks of quarantinable diseases in that region. Instead it will visit Brisbane on Saturday and return to Sydney on Monday, three days ahead of schedule.â€
Passengers would be compensated for the change of schedule.
Ms Sherry said that there had been some inaccurate reporting of the situation yesterday, which had created unnecessary confusion.
“It is important that we set the record straight in the interests of passengers as well as their friends and family,†she said.
Ian Jarrett
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