Cruise ships facing new swine flu checks

Every cruise ship entering NSW waters will be treated as if there is swine flu
onboard following criticism after an outbreak among passengers on another vessel.

NSW health authorities are under fire for letting 2,000 passengers disembark from
the P&O ship Pacific Dawn, which berthed in Sydney on Monday, despite suspicions two
young boys onboard had the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
State chief medical officer Kerry Chant on Wednesday said 18 swine flu cases had now
been recorded from that cruise ship, including six Queensland residents who have
returned home.
A scare has also reached state government ranks after NSW Tourism Minister Jodi
McKay attended a cabinet meeting after returning from the US on a flight carrying
infected passengers.
Dr Chant said the strict protocols for all cruise ships were necessary because the
Pacific Dawn had arrived in Sydney without having visited a jurisdiction affected by
swine flu.
"With the new information available to us we need to reflect on our practices and we
will be treating all cruise ships as if they had swine flu on board and taking
appropriate responses," she told reporters.
"(This includes) ... not letting probably people off the ship until we have
absolutely cleared swine flu being on it."
She said the measures could mean allowing passengers to disembark on the provision
they isolated themselves until tests were carried out and the results made public.
NSW now has a total of 18 confirmed swine flu cases, with a further 265 people being
tested.
State Health Minister John Della Bosca said the NSW approach had been developed in
consultation with the commonwealth.
"Forty-eight hours ago there was significant criticism in relation to the action of
NSW public health because the measures were too stringent. We were alleged to have
been ruining people's holidays," Mr Della Bosca said.
"Sadly, the way things work, 48 hours later, the criticism in some quarters is
opposite.
"The important point to note is this is a matter of carefully following medical
advice, applying it to each situation as it occurs and learning from each case."
Mr Della Bosca said he did not fear an outbreak of swine flu in government ranks
after revelations Ms McKay attended a cabinet meeting before going into isolation.
"The public health advice is that there is no need for ministers to isolate
themselves," he said.
"One of my colleagues has made a personal decision and, obviously, she speaks for
herself in that matter."
Ms McKay was onboard flight QF12 from Los Angeles which arrived in Sydney on Sunday
with her chief-of-staff and the NSW Chief Scientist.
Six people onboard that flight have now tested positive to swine flu.
A spokesman for the minister said she had withdrawn from official engagements for
the time being.