This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8245613.stm

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 24 Version 25
Passenger blamed for cruise bug Passenger blamed for cruise bug
(about 1 hour later)
The owners of a cruise ship hit by a vomiting bug have blamed a passenger for spreading the infection.The owners of a cruise ship hit by a vomiting bug have blamed a passenger for spreading the infection.
At least 91 people on The Balmoral, which has anchored off Mull, have the suspected norovirus bug. A total of 101 people on The Balmoral, which has anchored off Mull, now have the suspected norovirus bug.
Owners Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said a woman passenger who boarded the ship at Dover on Saturday was believed to be the source of the outbreak.Owners Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said a woman passenger who boarded the ship at Dover on Saturday was believed to be the source of the outbreak.
A spokesman said she ignored advice to stay in her cabin, spreading the bug to others on board.A spokesman said she ignored advice to stay in her cabin, spreading the bug to others on board.
The company said 71 of those who had taken ill were being kept in isolation while the other 30 had been released.
The ship has almost 1,300 passengers and 516 crew on board.
The Balmoral is presently at anchor off Tobermory and is due to sail for Ireland next.
The ship was caught in a bit of a double whammy. We had some poor weather and an even poorer forecast and then an illness on board Nigel Lingard
Marketing director Nigel Lingard said: "We know the exact cause in this case.Marketing director Nigel Lingard said: "We know the exact cause in this case.
"A lady who came on board at Dover was presented with illness. The doctor confined her to a cabin."A lady who came on board at Dover was presented with illness. The doctor confined her to a cabin.
The ship was caught in a bit of a double whammy. We had some poor weather and an even poorer forecast and then an illness on board Nigel Lingard
"Unfortunately she chose the break that understanding and went out in public and was ill, and spread the illness rapidly.""Unfortunately she chose the break that understanding and went out in public and was ill, and spread the illness rapidly."
Mr Lingard said only a small proportion of almost 1,800 passengers and crew on the ship had been affected.
A total of 87 passengers and four crew are thought to have the bug, with 79 of them in isolation.
Mr Lingard added: "We have very rigorous health procedures. We go to a Code Red health scenario and control things like access to buffets to cut down the spread of illness.Mr Lingard added: "We have very rigorous health procedures. We go to a Code Red health scenario and control things like access to buffets to cut down the spread of illness.
"We quickly got control of it and the number of new cases yesterday was quite low.""We quickly got control of it and the number of new cases yesterday was quite low."
Passengers have also had to cope with poor weather which prevented the liner docking at Portree on Skye on Tuesday.Passengers have also had to cope with poor weather which prevented the liner docking at Portree on Skye on Tuesday.
"The ship was caught in a bit of a double whammy. We had some poor weather and an even poorer forecast and then an illness on board," said Mr Lingard."The ship was caught in a bit of a double whammy. We had some poor weather and an even poorer forecast and then an illness on board," said Mr Lingard.
Its next port of call was Tobermory on Mull, where health officials were due to inspect the ship before it sails for Dublin on the next leg of its voyage.Its next port of call was Tobermory on Mull, where health officials were due to inspect the ship before it sails for Dublin on the next leg of its voyage.
Two months ago there was anger when about 400 passengers on board the Marco Polo, operated by Transocean, were struck down by norovirus.Two months ago there was anger when about 400 passengers on board the Marco Polo, operated by Transocean, were struck down by norovirus.
One man died on board the ship, although his death was associated with other medical problems.One man died on board the ship, although his death was associated with other medical problems.


Are you on board? Do you know any passengers on the Balmoral? Send us your comments using the form below:Are you on board? Do you know any passengers on the Balmoral? Send us your comments using the form below:
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions