Cruise Lines Enact Measures to Prevent 'Swine Flu'
The 24 cruise lines represented by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) have begun enhanced screening procedures on a global basis to help prevent the introduction and/or spread of influenza A (H1N1) on board cruise ships.
Under the new CLIA health screening protocols, all passengers will be required to complete and sign a written questionnaire prior to boarding at any port.
“The cruise industry is taking these proactive steps out of an abundance of caution to identify, isolate and treat any suspect influenza A (H1N1) cases as appropriate. We will continue to review these protocols and the need for any further actions as necessary,” said Terry Dale, CLIA president and CEO.
Under the enhanced screening protocols, cruise ships will perform a secondary screening if a passenger reports flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat, or contact with a confirmed influenza A (H1N1) case. Medical personnel aboard ship will make case by case decisions regarding the boarding of these passengers. Passengers will not be permitted to travel if they exhibit influenza-like illness or meet the suspect-case conditions for H1N1 influenza defined by CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/casedef_swineflu.htm).
All other passengers will be permitted to travel. Further, medical staff will isolate and treat passengers and crew with flu symptoms if such a situation arises while a cruise is under way. Ships that operate internationally will maintain appropriate medical support equipment and medications, including antiviral medications that are effective in treating flu, including H1N1.
These preventive measures augment comprehensive vessel-sanitation and public-health surveillance procedures already employed by ships that reduce the potential for transmission of contagious diseases. These practices include isolation of sick passengers, food-safety sanitation protocols and consultation with public-health authorities.
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