Fred Olsen’s Balmoral norovirus curse strikes agai

Fred Olsen’s much troubled cruise ship, Balmoral, has been hit by a norovirus outbreak for the third time in twelve months.

Norovirus, also known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ has struck 250 passengers sailing back from the Canary Islands to Dover. On arrival at the British port, the cruise vessel will be boarded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Health Protection Agency officials along with medical teams who will assess and treat both passengers and crew before they are released for further travel. She’ll also be deep cleaned and fumigated to try and eradicate the virus which has led to many people being hospitalised on recent cruises. More than 500 people travelling on Balmoral this year have been hit by norovirus and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency may actually take possession of the ship if enough of the crew are ill to make it unsafe for them to operate it. Poor old Balmoral has had a rough year, she was attacked by pirates and been damaged in storms as well as the three sickness outbreaks.

Norovirus is also known as the ‘cruise ship bug’ because it becomes epidemic in enclosed environments like hospitals, schools and ships. It can cause severe vomiting and stomach upsets with consequent dehydration that can cause serious problems in the very young or very old or those who have other illnesses they are already contending with. Because it can be transferred in the air or from hard surfaces such as handrails and lift buttons, it is easily transmitted through large numbers of people very swiftly.