Carnival defends swine flu counter-measures

Ann Sherry, chief executive of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said no passengers on the current Pacific Dawn cruise had been identified as having Influenza A.

Flu symptoms had been identified in three crew members who had been isolated and were responding positively to treatment.

“As a precautionary measure we have taken samples from the three crew members and transported them to the mainland from the ship this afternoon for further analysis,” Ms Sherry said.

Any action to date had been taken in conjunction with health authorities, including disembarking passengers on the previous cruise as well as clearing the ship to sail on Monday night, she said.

“It is grossly unfair to suggest that P&O Cruises has been anything other than open and honest in our communication with passengers at all times,” Ms Sherry said.

“As the health authorities have said, this is an evolving situation.”

Ms Sherry had advised the Australian health authorities of an international working group led by the US-based Centre for Disease Control which is working with the World Health Organisation to develop an international set of protocols within which cruise ships can operate.

“There is a meeting of this group tomorrow and Australia’s chief medical officer has agreed to participate," she said.

"P&O Cruises has adopted on-board processes that exceeded World Health Organisation requirements.

“Passengers and their families should take comfort in the fact there is much closer monitoring of this group of people than there is in the general community."

Meanwhile, Carnival Australia has reversed Pacific Dawn's itinerary and will avoiding the Whitsunday's.

Have you renewed your subscription? Did you know that, from next week, this story will only be accessible to subscribers?

To ensure a smooth transition, readers have enjoyed full access to all of Lloyd's List DCN's online coverage since the new-look website was launched on May 6. From Monday, only a select number of Lloyd's List DCN's online stories will continue to be accessible to non-subscribers. Subscribe today to continue to receive full access beyond June 1. If you are a subscriber and you have not received your username and password in the past week, please contact our subscriptions team at subscriptions@informa.com.au or (02) 90804451.