News / NHS and Lerwick Port Authority not made aware of sick passengers before cruise visit
Costa Cruises claimed passengers had been cleared to disembark by health authorities
NEITHER NHS Shetland or Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) were made aware of illness aboard the cruise ship Costa Favolosa before she arrived in Lerwick yesterday (Tuesday).
Cruise operator Costa Cruises said in a statement to Shetland News on Tuesday night that its passengers had been cleared to disembark by “local health authorities”.
It said that some passengers had reported symptoms of “mild gastrointestinal illness” during the trip, but that increased hygiene and prevention measures had been brought in to ensure the spread could be stopped.
Those measures had led to health authorities clearing the cruise ship to dock at ports such as Lerwick, it said.
However NHS Shetland said it was only made aware of passengers with illness onboard “late in the afternoon of Tuesday 20 May”.
And the LPA said it had “not been notified of any passenger ill health onboard Costa Favolosa” that would have prevented the call going ahead as planned.
It said vessels were required to declare any concerns relating to passenger health through their shipping agent to the local health authority.
Director of public health Susan Laidlaw said local teams “had not been advised of any public health issues relating to the visiting cruise ship prior to its arrival”.
“However we now understand that a small number of passengers with symptoms of gastroenteritis were being appropriately managed by the medical team on-board the vessel which left Shetland on the evening of Tuesday 20 May,” she added.
It is understood that the cruise operator may have mistakenly contacted a health board in a different area for clearance before arriving in Lerwick.
The Costa Favolosa is said to have been cleared and disinfected on Sunday while she was docked in Edinburgh, according to a report on Crew Centre.
Passengers were given a letter about the illness onboard, and ordered to contact the ship’s medical centre if anyone experienced sickness or diarrhoea.
It comes after anger was expressed by a Lerwick shop owners and bus operator on Tuesday after around 3,000 passengers descended on the town before people were made aware of sickness aboard the cruise liner.
Anger as cruise passengers come ashore after reported viral outbreak onboard
Tourists were sitting aboard buses when bus companies J & DS Halcrow and R. Robertson and Son were informed of quarantines aboard the 290-metre long Costa Favolosa.
R. Robertson and Son managing director Sonia Robertson said it was “ridiculous” that companies were only warned while passengers were already aboard their buses.
And Blyde Welcome owner Celia Smith said there had been a “complete disregard for the local community’s safety” after the passengers flocked to Lerwick shops.
Dr Laidlaw encouraged the public to be vigilant amid fears about sickness in the community.
“It is always good practice to ensure that you wash hands after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food to help prevent spread of gastrointestinal infections,” she said.
“Alcohol-based hand wash and cleaning products are not very effective against gastrointestinal infections.
“Soap and water are best for hand washing, and bleach-based products for cleaning contaminated areas.
“We would like to remind anyone who has experienced vomiting or diarrhoea that they should wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have passed before visiting people who might be vulnerable, especially those in hospital and care homes.
“Similarly children should not return to school or clubs etc. for 48 hours.”
Costa Cruises said it applies “sophisticated measures to ensure the highest levels of hygiene, health and wellbeing for all people on board” its cruise ships.
Lerwick Port Authority said on Monday that any comment on the ship’s operations would need to come to the cruise operator directly or its appointed agent as it fell outwith the organisation’s responsibility.
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