Health protocols activated after illness suspicion on Cape Town cruise

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed that they have been alerted and made aware of a cruise liner which docked in Cape Town with a suspicion of a sickness aboard.

When Cape Argus visited the Cape Town Cruise Terminal on Monday, passengers could be seen disembarking, including staff going about their day.

It is understood that the situation was first deemed a “code red” and was later changed to a “code yellow.”

Staff surrounding the port were cautioned to follow protocol and authorities like the NICD was alerted.

Cape Argus reached out to the NICD to establish whether they had been informed about a possible sickness aboard the Regent Seven Seas Voyager, to which they replied that they were awaiting feedback from the Western Cape Health Department and Wellness. 

“We are aware of the matter and await further details from the Western Cape Department of Health,” the NICD said.

The NICD's role is to tackle unknown or emerging illnesses through a structured approach combining rapid surveillance, high-level diagnostic capacity and expert investigation.

It is unclear at this stage which sickness was being suspected.

Transnet Port Terminals Cape Town also diverted queries to the Border Management Authority (BMA).

Foster Mohale of the National Department of Health was also contacted, including the Western Cape Health Department and Wellness, Dwayne Evans which said it was for BMA  response who dealt with port health incidents.

Mmemme Mogotsi, communications for BMA said: “The BMA has not attended to an international vessel that has docked in Cape Town.”

Passengers who were later allowed to disembark told Cape Argus they were in the dark while staff said it was “Code Yellow.”

A worker at the terminal who cannot be identified said the area had been sanitised and that it was treated with great sensitivity and seriousness on the onset: “We were told it is Code Red; people are sick aboard the ship. The whole terminal was sanitised, and staff were wearing masks and gloves.

"We do not know what suspected sickness it is or what happened. We have to think of our families also.

"The passengers  had to wait before they could leave the vessel and then it would be going through immigration."

Cape Argus also reached out to James Arnold Senior Director Communications, Public Relations, and Organic Social Media Regent Seven Seas Cruises but has yet to receive a response.

Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.

Cape Argus