Virus hits a second P&O liner
A SECOND cruise liner hit by the norovirus vomiting bug has arrived back in Britain.
The Azura docked in Southampton yesterday morning and was leaving later for a 12-night cruise to the Canaries.
Owners P&O said: “There has been an incidence of a mild gastrointestinal illness among the passengers on Azura. This illness is suspected to be norovirus, which is highly contagious.
“Norovirus is common throughout the UK, Europe and North America and has affected a number of schools, hospitals, nursing homes and children’s day care centres.”
The ship had been on an 11-night Iberia cruise. Out of 3,059 passengers, 10 were suffering active symptoms.
The P&O liner Oriana was dubbed “a plague ship” after scores of passengers were laid low by the virus.
The ship, which carries 1,843 passengers, returned to Southampton on Friday from a 10-day Baltic cruise and left last night for a 23-night cruise in the eastern Mediterranean.