SYDNEY, May 28 (UPI) -- A cruise ship off the coast of Australia has been ordered to remain at sea in response to three H1N1 flu cases on board, officials say.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon said the P&O Pacific Dawn, which is currently off the coast of the state of Queensland, could face a full quarantine if deemed necessary to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly influenza strain, the BBC reported Thursday.
Prior to the report of the three confirmed swine flu cases among the ship's crewmembers, the Pacific Dawn was blamed for spreading the H1N1 virus in Australia by having infected passengers to disembark in Sydney.
The BBC said at least 20 of the 2,000 recent Pacific Dawn passengers have tested positive for swine flu. All of the passengers were allowed to leave the cruise ship despite a suspected outbreak of flu on the vessel, the British broadcaster added.
Roxon said officials were treating all cruise ships as potential outbreak sites for the time being, meaning all ship passengers would be forced to remain on board until their health can be verified.
