Pat Horn
Event Date: June 8, 2006
Cruise Bruise: Norovirus Death Onboard
Bruise Location:
Age: 78
Home Town: Cheltenham
Cruise Line: Club Cruise
Cruise Ship: Van Gogh
Details:
The 78 year old retired primary school teacher, Mrs Pat Horn, from Cheltenham died the day after developing symptoms of sickness and diarrhea, on board the Van Gogh cruise ship.
Norovirus led to the Van Gogh liner being held at Harwich, Essex.
An Inquest into her death found that the doctor aboard the ship did not report the death of one of the passengers to health inspectors who boarded the ship to investigate the virus. The death of Mrs Horn was not reported to the officials carrying out the inspection of the ship.
Ukrainian Dr Andre Glumob said he did not realize that Mrs Horn had been vomiting or suffering diarrhea.
A verdict of death by natural causes was recorded at the Chelmsford inquest by Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray.
Suki Chhokar, a Partner with law firm Irwin Mitchell who are representing other people who went on the ship, both at the same time as Mrs Horn and also on further cruises in June, said "I simply cannot believe that a ships doctor could fail to inform a health & safety inspector, given that the Van Gogh cruise ship was returning to port due to illness, and that the same doctor had treated the deceased as she became ill on board."
"We are currently conducting a civil case on behalf of our clients against the cruise operator Travelscope, and the information given at the inquest this week certainly gives reason for further serious concerns about health and safety procedures on board the ship."
Mr Chhokar continued, "The reason that viruses like the Norovirus are able to thrive on board these cruise ships is the confined environment in which such a contagious bug can spread easily. However these increased risks can and must be met with increased safeguards to prevent people becoming seriously ill."
Mr Chhokar is calling for slower turn around times whilst in port to allow for the boats to be thoroughly cleaned before taking on new passengers and more routine cleaning during the voyage.
"Basic food and water hygiene levels must be in place and regular cleaning of key areas such as the toilets and kitchens is essential. Once an outbreak has been identified health advice must be given to all existing passengers and any potential passengers joining the boat must be warned before they embark. After an outbreak the boat must be deeply cleansed and sanitized before any further passengers board."
Environmental health officer Davina Gomersall told the inquest that on May 22 the Van Gogh was in port at Harwich and 90 passengers plus 18 crew were found to be suffering from Norovirus.
The ship sailed and returned to port a few days later.
Then, on May 28, 105 passengers and 21 crew were discovered to be sick and the authorities detained the ship until it was fumigated.
It was given the all-clear to leave on May 30 and set sail for Norway on June 3. Mrs Horn became ill on 7 June and died on 8 June.
Pat Horn
Cruise Ship Passenger Died From Norovirus Onboard
Van Gogh - June 8, 2006
