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Monday, June 8, 2009

A TASTE OF NOROVIRUS BEFORE AN ALASKA CRUISE

Just when we thought the threat of various diseases on board ship was back under control, news comes from the ski resort of Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, that over 41 Australian tourists have been quarantined with the norovirus - all before they expect to be cleared by Tuesday (tomorrow) so that they can board their 2,000 passenger cruise ship in Vancouver bound for Alaska.

Dr. Paul Martiquet, public health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health in Whistler seems confident that no threat is posed to the cruise passengers and that the outbreak will be contained by the time the Australians board the cruise ship in a little over two days time.

Despite that, there may be a few passengers a little wary about shaking hands with any one on that cruise with an Australian accent.

As the advice section at Prow’s Edge (http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-advice-norovirus.html) tells us, the key in avoiding infection is to wash your hands frequently. The recommendation is to wash the hands with soap with warm water for AT LEAST 20 seconds, or as one captain with Holland America Line suggested, for two choruses of “Happy Birthday”. This helps to kill the virus should you come into contact with it.

Other obvious precautions include not shaking hands with strangers, (most Captain Welcome Aboard parties no longer involve shaking hands with the master of the vessel) and avoiding touching foreign surfaces, like hand rails, elevator buttons, door plates, table surfaces at buffets.

Also important is remembering to keep hands and fingers away from the face - no rubbing the eyes etc, as the main routes of entry for the virus are the mouth, eyes and nose.

We wish the Australians a speedy recovery. Nothing worse than coming all this way and then falling ill!

G’day Mate!

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