Cruise liner docks in Australia after hundreds struck down with illness

SYDNEY, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A 2,000 passenger cruise liner has docked in the Australian city of Brisbane on Thursday, after an outbreak of gastro struck down travellers upon its return from New Zealand.

The Queensland State Government's Department of Health explained in a statement that testing on board the Sea Princess has confirmed the presence of norovirus.

"Around 200 people were believed to have been infected with the virus," the statement said.

"Appropriate sanitation procedures and outbreak control measures have been implemented and the vessel is expected to undergo further comprehensive cleaning while in Brisbane."

During the last 12 months, the industry has been plagued with a number of similar incidents, with three other vessels also suffering outbreaks.

One of those vessels included the Sea Princess's sister ship - the Sun Princess.

In an email, the company told passengers they will be "carrying out a comprehensive sanitation program in coordination with several international public health authorities."

"We have also arranged for the ship to undergo an additional disinfection in Brisbane," they said. Enditem