Cholera-scare cruise ship to visit Invergordon twice this summer
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A major cruise ship at the centre of a cholera scare off the coast of Mauritius is scheduled to visit Invergordon twice this summer.
The Norwegian Dawn, which is run by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, was refused entry to the port of Port Louis over the weekend amid fears of a possible cholera outbreak on board the ship.
It is reported that at least 15 people aboard the vessel have been put into isolation after taking ill – although it is not yet known if their illness is cholera and test results are not expected before Tuesday.
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A representative of the cruise line is reported to have said that some of those affected developed stomach illness symptoms after a stop in South Africa.
The symptoms were reported to be mild, although a passenger has told Dutch newspaper BN DeStem that the ship's captain had said there is a possibility that the outbreak is cholera.
If follows a major outbreak of the deadly illness in parts of southern Africa which has resulted in almost 190,000 known infections in just over a year – of whom the United Nations said 3000 had died.
The Norwegian Star, which has a gross tonnage of more than 92,000 and can accommodate 2600 passengers, is scheduled to visit the Port of Cromarty Firth on two occasions in 2024.
The first of these is on June 29, with the second following on August 12.
Another Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings ship, the Norwegian Star – which is of a similar tonnage and size – is also expected to visit Invergordon twice – first on May 21 and again on October 2.
There is no suggestion that either vessel will pose a health risk to the public.
The Norwegian Dawn has previously visited the port.
