British cruise passengers quarantined after winter vomiting virus outbreak

UK holidaymakers were among the 60 cruise passengers confined to their cabins due to an outbreak of a winter vomiting virus, when their ship docked in Shanghai.

The passengers were travelling on board the Diamond Princess, and the quarantine was meant to prevent the illness from spreading, according to comments made by passengers on the £250 million cruise ship.

The 16-day cruise to Beijing was thought to have cost as much as £4,000 per person.

Passengers embarked on their 16-day cruise from Southeast Asia to China on 22 October, from Bangkok. The ship had made calls in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore, before Shanghai. It was reported that the outbreak of the virus occurred on the weekend after the ship stopped at Okinawa, Japan, 11 days after the cruise began.

The norovirus causes gastroenteritis, and is spread by either the faecal contamination of food or water, or by person-to-person contact.

In enclosed environments such as cruise ships or even hospitals, the virus can spread rapidly, particularly if careful attention isn’t given to personal hygiene.

The virus causes diarrhoea and vomiting, lasting for up to three days, and usually resolves itself without requiring treatment or creating longer-term complications.

Norovirus is particularly common in subtropical and tropical locations, but is found in all regions of the world. The virus hardly ever begins on board a cruise ship, but is brought on board, often by passengers who have gone ashore.

www.princess.com