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07/07/2009
Man Dies In Cruise Ship Outbreak
A cruise ship passenger has died aboard a ship, while 150 others have been taken ill in an outbreak of a vomiting bug at a Highland harbour.
The Marco Polo, which is touring the British Isles with 769 passengers and 340 crew, is thought to have been hit by an outbreak of norovirus - also known as the winter vomiting bug.
However, tests are still being carried out to confirm the nature of the illness.
Transocean Tours of Bremen - the ship's operators - last night confirmed a 74-year-old man died on the vessel after suffering a fatal heart attack.
It is not yet clear if he was suffering from the norovirus.
A company spokesman said: "In an unrelated incident today, a 74-year-old male passenger, with chronic heart and breathing problems, suffered a fatal heart attack on board ship and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him."
A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the exact cause of the man's death.
Dr Ken Oates, of NHS Highland, said: "We are working with local GPs in Invergordon as a number of people on board a cruise liner are suffering from vomiting.
"It is a suspected outbreak of norovirus but we have to carry out further tests before we are able to confirm exactly what it is."
NHS highland added a total of 150 people were suffering from sickness and abdominal cramps - symptoms of the virus which affects up to one million people in the UK every year.
Local GPs and community nurses have boarded the Marco Polo to assist the ship's doctor, while two of the passengers are now being treated at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
It also emerged that passengers on the previous voyage of the Marco Polo who disembarked on Saturday were also struck with a sickness bug.
The Marco Polo left Tilbury docks in London at the weekend and is due to sail around Britain and Ireland over the next week.
(JM/BMcC)
The Marco Polo, which is touring the British Isles with 769 passengers and 340 crew, is thought to have been hit by an outbreak of norovirus - also known as the winter vomiting bug.
However, tests are still being carried out to confirm the nature of the illness.
Transocean Tours of Bremen - the ship's operators - last night confirmed a 74-year-old man died on the vessel after suffering a fatal heart attack.
It is not yet clear if he was suffering from the norovirus.
A company spokesman said: "In an unrelated incident today, a 74-year-old male passenger, with chronic heart and breathing problems, suffered a fatal heart attack on board ship and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him."
A post-mortem examination will be carried out to establish the exact cause of the man's death.
Dr Ken Oates, of NHS Highland, said: "We are working with local GPs in Invergordon as a number of people on board a cruise liner are suffering from vomiting.
"It is a suspected outbreak of norovirus but we have to carry out further tests before we are able to confirm exactly what it is."
NHS highland added a total of 150 people were suffering from sickness and abdominal cramps - symptoms of the virus which affects up to one million people in the UK every year.
Local GPs and community nurses have boarded the Marco Polo to assist the ship's doctor, while two of the passengers are now being treated at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
It also emerged that passengers on the previous voyage of the Marco Polo who disembarked on Saturday were also struck with a sickness bug.
The Marco Polo left Tilbury docks in London at the weekend and is due to sail around Britain and Ireland over the next week.
(JM/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
