Ocean Dream quarantined in Margarita Island

The authorities in Venezuela quarantined a visiting cruise ship suspecting an outbreak of Swine Flu on board.

It was reported that more than 1,200 passengers and crew combined will be isolated on board the Spanish-owned Ocean Dream, docked at the old Cargo port of El Guamache on the Venezuelan island of Margarita.

Passengers were prevented from disembarking at previous stops in Barbados and Grenada after it was understood that 3 Crew members were diagnosed with the H1N1 Flu virus.

11 more crew members are since reported to have symptoms.

The Venezuelan health official Jorge Alchaer commented "The virus was detected in 3 Crew members and the ship must now stay in quarantine until June 24,".

Ocean Dream is managed by the Spanish tour operator Pullmantur. Miami-based Royal Caribbean, which owns Pullmantur, indicated that they could not comment on the situation.
The nationalities of the passengers on board were not immediately known, but  we do know that Pullmantur operate essentially Spanish speaking cruises.

Our sister publication Pereptual Traveller last week reported that the WHO declared the virus a global pandemic essentially due to its spread to 74 countries. There have been some 30,000 cases diagnosed globally and more than 140 deaths. Sphere: Related Content