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Meningitis outbreak on cruise ship
Four crew members on MSC Orchestra have been hospitalised after an outbreak on bacterial meningitis on board.
Passengers and crew on the cruise ship have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
A statement from the Italian cruise line confirmed that the affected crew were being treated in a hospital in Livorno, Italy, with two of the crew members listed in serious condition.
MSC Cruises says no other crew or guests have shown symptoms so far.
The statement said: "MSC Orchestra arrived as scheduled in the port of Valencia yesterday and was visited by Spanish Health Authorities and was subsequently released as fully compliant with international maritime health and safety regulations.
"As an extra precaution, MSC Cruises is also contacting all guests who were on board MSC Orchestra during the past seven days, advising them to take antibiotic treatment as a highly effective preventative measure.
"The situation on board MSC Orchestra is under control and an MSC Cruises medical taskforce is currently on board to closely monitor the situation and ensure that all necessary procedures are followed."
The cruise liner, which can carry more than 3,000 on board, is on a seven night cruise of the Mediterranean.
Bacterial meningitis is described as ‘life threatening’ by Meningitis UK. It can only survive in the air for a short time, is passed on through kissing or sneezing and produces flu-like symptoms.
By Diane Evans
Diane
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