Gastroenteritis outbreak on cruise ship now docked in Fife

A total of 130 passengers contracted gastroenteritis on board Fred Olsen's Black Watch now docked in Rosyth in Fife

A total of 130 passengers have contracted gastroenteritis on board a cruise ship now docked in Rosyth in Fife.

They became ill on Fred Olsen's Black Watch during a 12-night Scandinavia and St Petersburg cruise.

The ship departed on 8 September. There were 778 guests on board.

There were still 29 passengers unwell when the boat moored in Rosyth. Specialist cleaners have been brought in to clean and fumigate the ship.

Intensive cleaning

A Fred Olsen spokeswoman said: "Fred Olsen Cruise Lines can confirm, during Black Watch's 12-night Scandinavia and St Petersburg cruise, there was an outbreak of a gastroenteritis-type illness, and every effort was made to contain the illness, in accordance with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines onboard medical protocols.

"Black Watch returned to Rosyth on Friday, where she is currently undergoing an intensive cleaning and sanitisation programme, which includes a complete ship fumigation by professional external contractors.

"Representatives from the local health authorities and Rosyth Port Health have been on board the ship this morning, and have confirmed that they are satisfied with the containment and preventative measures being undertaken by the ship

"It is frustrating that, even with the extra preventative and containment measures that were put in place, a number of guests on board suffered from this illness, which is common in hospitals, schools, hotels, cruise ships and other areas where people are in close proximity.

"Symptoms of the illness include a sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhoea; some people may have a temperature, headache and stomach cramps.

"The sickness usually abates within one or two days, and there are no long-term effects."