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Cruise operators receive bug infection guideDate: 23/07/2007 09:31:01
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Cruise ships are to receive guidance on how to deal with infectious vomiting as part of a new initiative by the Health Protection Agency.
The move comes after thousands of passengers have been struck down by the Norovirus bug while on a cruise in recent years, with the confined nature of the environment a key factor in it spreading so easily.
As part of the "outbreak control plan" to be given to cruise operators, advice will be given on how to properly clean and disinfect potentially contaminated areas as well on how to recognise the symptoms of the bug, which include projectile vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature, headaches and aching limbs.
Commenting on the initiative, Professor Pat Troop, HPA chief executive, said: "The aim was to produce straightforward and practical advice to discourage the introduction of infection to cruise ships in the first instance - and to help the industry and public health authorities manage outbreaks in a consistent manner when they do occur."
According to statistics recently released by the agency, between 600,000 and one million people are infected with the bug in the UK each year.
Earlier this month, scientists in the US reported that they had successfully devised a system for manipulating the genome of the murine norovirus and, while this bug only affects rodents, it is hoped that the breakthrough will lead to a greater understanding of the pathogens in general.
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