MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fears of “Norwalk” virus in Ushuaia/Punta Arenas run

The cruise virus “Norwalk” apparently struck early this month aboard a Chilean flagged cruise traveling from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas affecting an estimated fifty passengers, reports the local press.

As happened last week with the Carnival Liberty in mid Atlantic leaving almost 600 people ill, the Mare Australis outbreak was smaller and "contained" according to health authorities in Punta Arenas.

Mare Australis arrived in Punta Arenas last November 4 with several passengers suffering from gastro-intestinal symptoms, totaling over fifty cases in the Punta Arenas/Ushuaia run during the last two weeks according to Dr. Alejandra Runner from Punta Arenas Health Department.

"No complications such as dehydration or high fever were reported in the patients so food poisoning was discarded as one of the possible causes", said Dr. Runner.

Possible bacteria poisoning also proved negative. All personnel manipulating food and crew members were tested but not passengers which had abandoned the area by the time new tests were decided.

"So we were left with the option of the "cruise virus" or Norwalk, but unfortunately we don't have the elements to test the virus, but given the recurrent symptoms we are almost convinced it's Norwalk", said Dr. Runner.

Chilean Public Health Ministry representative in Punta Arenas Sergio Ruiz said that files on Mare Australis patients suffering from gastroenteritis and unspecified gastritis have begun to be collected with the purpose of keeping track of the virus, "if that is the virus", and to combat it in the future.