SWINE FLU TAKES A CRUISE ABOARD THE PACIFIC DAWN

A week ago we reported that the swine flu scare was over as the USA has ceased warnings about travel to Mexico because of the outbreak of swine flu.

Maybe we spoke too soon, or perhaps we were just focusing too much on Mexico.

Last week, only two days after sailing out of Sydney for the South Pacific, two children aboard the Pacific Dawn were quarantined because of what was finally confirmed as swine flu. Over a hundred passengers, and some crew members showed symptoms similar to those of the two boys, and health officials asked that the passengers on that cruise, now home, stay there for a week. The infected crew members were taken off the ship.

The good news now is that results have come back negative for Human Swine Influenza for passengers on board the Dawn Princess cruise ship.

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said: “Passengers from the cruise ship who presented with mild influenza like illnesses and were tested by Public Health Officials have since been advised of their test results; which are negative for Human swine influenza."

“As we are now in the CONTAIN phase of the influenza response we are taking public health measures to prevent spread of human swine influenza where outbreaks are suspected,” Dr Chant said.

For health issues aboard cruises, take a look at the Ship's Doctor pages at Prow's Edge for a variety of health topics and advice - everything from seasickness to food poisoning.

SWINE FLU - PREPARING CRUISE SHIPS AND PASSENGERS

To put your mind at rest, and determined not to have another health problem (like the norovirus) dog the cruise industry, most cruise lines have lept into action with plans to deal with the swine flu problem.

Cruise lines’ plans focus on preparing their vessels to try and prevent any possibility of an outbreak, making sure they are able to detect outbreaks as soon as they occur and being ready to respond to and contain any such outbreak.

In fact, for most regular cruise passengers, there is not much new in these measures, except that they may seem more intensified.

Preparing the vessels includes providing hand sanitizers throughout all ships and conducting enhanced sanitizing of all high-touch areas onboard. Cruise lines have been providing hand sanitizers for some time to combat the norovirus, but now passengers may not be allowed to so easily pass them by with using them.

Educating crew and passengers forms a large part of cruise line’s plans, and these measures include showing educational videos for crew and passengers about infectious illnesses like swine flu and the norovirus.

This, together with swine flu bulletins from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), IS something new for many cruise passengers. The point is not to alarm you, but to prepare you.

Part of prevention measures also include screening embarking guests and crew members who have travelled from Mexico or who have had contact with others who have. On many cruise ships, passengers who are obviously ill will not be allowed to board.

Plans to deal with any outbreaks of swine flu, if necessary, include an adequate supply of anti-viral medications and an onboard medical staff who can isolate and treat guests or crew members who display flu-like symptoms.

Prow's Edge now has a new page with an overview of the swine flu outbreak of 2009 which can be found at http://www.prowsedge.com/cruises-advice-swine-flu.html and some of the latest press releases by the cruise lines about their cancellations and itinerary alterations can be found in the Prow's Edge news pages.

CRUISING AND SWINE FLU

It seems inevitable that the outbreak of swine flu in Mexico will soon be officially labeled as a pandemic and it’s just a matter of time before the cruise lines announce more changes to their itineraries.

Carnival today has already announced that its cruises will be re-routed to avoid Mexico for a week more than originally planned.

Royal Caribbean International has moved the Mariner of the Seas from Mexico to the USA west coast, and six Princess Cruises ships, currently scheduled for calls in Mexican ports through May, will either visit alternative ports or spend an additional day at sea.

For those of you on a cruise in the area, and worrying about contracting the swine flu, take a look at the Prow’s Edge page on the norovirus - the same common sense rules apply:

Never touch interior handrails or other surfaces others have touched frequently.
Wash your hands at least six times a day for at least 20 seconds each time with warm water and soap.
Avoid anyone who is coughing or sneezing and if you must cough, cover it up!

And if you think you may be infected - inform the authorities at once.