PRESS RELEASE
July 9th, 2009

Lessons to be learned

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is calling for action to prevent future viral outbreaks like the one that struck the Marco Polo in Invergordon.

More than 200 people were hit with a virus earlier this year that caused sickness and abdominal pains and the ship had to remain docked while health inspections were carried out.

With so many ships stopping at Greenock, the MSP fears that a similar outbreak could hit the area if lessons aren’t learned from Invergordon.

He has written to the Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon asking for information gathered to be shared with the local health board and port authority in Inverclyde.

Mr McNeil said: “I would agree with the minister that this is a rare occurrence but we should be looking to learn lessons from this situation.

“Given the large number of ships we welcome here in Greenock, we must do what we can to minimise the impact future viral outbreaks can have.

“It is great to have these fantastic ships visit the area but we want to avoid where possible this being spoiled for passengers and the wider community by the impact of this kind of virus.”

ENDS