Port officials on high alert for swine flu on cruise ships

P&O's Pacific Dawn cruise liner was refused permission to dock in Australia after three crew members came down with swine flu. Photo / Daily Telegraph

New Zealand port health officials are on "high alert" for any vessels reporting people with influenza symptoms.

"All ships are required to notify any suspected cases of non-seasonal influenza A (H1N1) swine flu, which have occurred during the voyage," Dr Fran McGrath, deputy director of public health, told NZPA.

She was commenting as the Pacific Sun company's Pacific Dawn cruise liner - with 2500 passengers onboard - was refused permission to dock and ordered to change course off the coast of Australia because three crew members have come down with the illness.

The ship last week discharged passengers in Sydney, including at least two children with swine flu, and it is feared that other passengers who left the ship there have accelerated community transmission of the illness in other parts of Australia.

Dr McGrath told NZPA the main cruise season in New Zealand is from October until April "but there are a few short Pacific Island cruises operated by Pacific Sun sailing from Auckland between May and August".

She said Pacific Dawn's sister ship, Dawn Princess, is due to visit Auckland in July on a round the world voyage.

New Zealand health authorities normally check all cruise vessels the first time they visit each season to ensure they have appropriate protocols for recognising, treating, controlling and notifying illness on-board the vessel.

The masters are told they must notify any cases of illness and also that they must notify any disease outbreaks which occur while the vessel is in New Zealand territorial waters.

"In times of heightened international interest in communicable diseases, all vessels may be inspected on arrival and granted `free pratique' when health officials have verified the documentation of health status on board," she said.

Health officials can order examination of sick passengers for quarantine diseases.

Free pratique is permission for a ship to enter a port and disembark passengers or crew.

A ship captain has to advise 48 hours before arrival of any deaths or symptoms of illness or infectious diseases among crew or passengers, and confirm this 12 to 24 hours before arrival.

People on a vessel with cases of a quarantine disease on board, can required to be quarantined or isolated.

Dr McGrath said all cruise ships have medical officers on board able to recognise swine flu, and other vessels such as cargo and fishing boats are required to report their health status before arrival.

But NZ health officials cannot require cruise ships coming here to carry a stock of anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu to control any swine flu outbreak on board.

"As the country of origin sets the protocols for medication carried and operating protocols on board visiting vessels, this is not something New Zealand can control," said Dr McGrath. "It is up to the individual cruise liner companies to decide on this."

Generally the cruise industry was experienced in caring for passengers who become unwell during their voyage.

"They are experienced in infection control procedures and managing people with communicable diseases," she said.

- NZPA