The whole crew of Icelandic longliner Valdimar GK-195 are now isolating following the entire crew of 14 contracting the virus.
Valdimar was fishing off southern Iceland last week when the first indications of infection were suspected, initially thought to be nothing more than an ordinary autumn flu.
But when more of the crew fell ill, the skipper contacted medical authorities ashore and the company’s contingency plans for an outbreak on board were put into action. Owners Thorbjörn directed the longliner to abandon its trip and to head for port.
Valdimar is now alongside in Njardvík and the whole crew were immediately screened by the south-western region’s health authority. The results were returned the same day, with the whole crew having tested positive. A track and trace operation for the fourteen crew members began straight away, and measures were taken for them all to isolate.
Valdimar’s catch is to be landed by company staff, and the longliner will be sanitised throughout. According to the company, the outbreak occurred on board Valdimar in spite of strict precautions having been followed before departure, and the infection passed between crew members very quickly.
