Sydney passengers cleared of flu

Four cruise ship passengers tested amid a swine flu scare on arrival in Sydney yesterday have been cleared of infection.

The suspected cases were among 2,000 passengers and 900 crew who were quarantined for more than five hours aboard the 77,000 ton luxury liner Dawn Princess.

A spokeswoman for NSW Health said all four tested negative for influenza-A and there was no need for additional testing for swine flu.

They had all shown mild flu-like symptoms and were asked to remain in Sydney and stay away from other people until the test results were confirmed.

The spokeswoman said late on Saturday the four had been allowed to resume their travel plans.

The Dawn Princess arrived at Darling Harbour about noon (AEST) on Saturday, hours late due to severe weather along Australia's east coast for the past week.

To make matters worse, health officials were called out and the ship was locked down before the passengers could disembark and the same number of cruise passengers could board the ship for their ocean holiday.

Dawn Princess had returned to Sydney from a 35-night Pacific cruise during which it had stopped in the Hawaiian islands for three days in early May.

Two passengers who tested positive for influenza-A during the trip had recovered 10 days ago.

The body of another passenger was removed from the ship in Sydney and one more was taken by ambulance to a Sydney hospital but neither had suffered any respiratory illness.

It was almost 6pm before authorities announced that the passengers would be allowed to disembark and those waiting could board.

The ship was due to set sail about 4pm on Saturday but weather delays and the temporary quarantine was expected to delay her departure until late evening.

- AAP