Passenger dies as bug hits cruise ship
Updated on 06 July 2009
An elderly man has died on board a cruise ship hit by a suspected outbreak of the norovirus.
The ship's operator Transocean Tours said he suffered a fatal heart attack unrelated to the bug.
Around 150 passengers and crew are showing suspected symptoms of the vomiting bug on board the Marco Polo, which is berthed in Invergordon, Easter Ross.
The English man who died had serious underlying health problems, NHS Highland said. A post-mortem examination will be carried out on the man.
Other people on the ship, which is carrying 400 passengers, are being treated by GPs.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said they have been attending the incident.
NHS Highland said there was no risk to members of the local community, and that public health consultants are monitoring the situation.
The norovirus is also called the 'winter vomiting disease', but it can occur at any time of the year.
It spreads very easily from person to person and can survive for several days in a contaminated area.
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