Legionnaires disease shows up on cruise ship

Six people aboard the ship The Black Watch experienced symptoms akin to those of pneumonia and were taken off the ship. The six passengers, five of whom are thought to be British are in hospital and vital signs are stable.

The ship itself will return to Britain today, while the passengers, all over 70 years old will stay in Stockholm, Sweden under observation. For people of this advances age, Legionnaires disease is especially dangerous.

The disease is caused by bacterially contaminated water, and if left unattended can be fatal. TH symptoms are similar to those of cold or serious flu; fever, headaches, stiff muscles that can also lead to pneumonia.

There were a total of 750 passengers on board, and after leaving Sweden, part of the ship was disinfected and the Jacuzzi area was closed as a precaution. The ship left Dover, England for what was meant to be a 17 –trip, but is returning two days early so the vessel can be thoroughly attended to and disinfected.