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Norovirus outbreak on Fred Olsen cruise

Norovirus outbreak on Fred Olsen cruise

A viral infection which causes vomiting has broken out on a Fred Olsen Cruise ship that is travelling around the British Isles.

72 passengers on board ‘Balmoral’ have been infected with the virus, thought to have been introduced by a passenger who proved to be unwell shortly after departing from Dover.

In order to contain the virus, infected passengers have been quarantined to their cabins while the ship is continuing on its journey. The ship is carrying 1,200 passengers and 540 crew.

The ship is now en route to Portree on the Isle of Skye.  She will then visit Dublin, Falmouth and St Peter Port before returning to Dover on September 14th.

A spokesperson for Fred Olsen Cruises exlplained that “In accordance with Health Protection Agency, staff throughout Balmoral have stepped up their already fastidious hygiene and disinfecting regime.”

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The winter virus is thought to be an unpleasant but generally short-lived infection lasting 1 – 2 days from which people will usually recover without treatment.