Massive outbreak of gastro on Indian Pacific train

There has been a massive outbreak of gastro on the Indian Pacific train over the past four weeks — with more than 100 people falling ill and two being hospitalised because of the norovirus.

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More than a hundred people have fallen ill and two have been taken to hospital after a sustained outbreak of gastro on the Indian Pacific train.

The outbreak was first brought to the attention of health authorities on September 10 and the last confirmed case was on Monday this week.

SA Health has confirmed that ill passengers had been contained to their rooms and entire carriages were taken out of service because of the potency of the norovirus.

The Indian Pacific train.

SA Health director of communicable disease control branch Dr Louise Flood said the department had been providing advice to Great Southern Rail, the company which runs the route between Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

“Norovirus is very hard to control once it is in the environment,” Dr Flood said.

“Things like steam cleaning the carpets can control the outbreak as well as people who are sick being isolated.

“Some have been getting off the train will others have been finishing the trip in isolation.

“We have been providing advice about cleaning, availability of hand hygiene, appropriate protocols in place.”

Norovirus is a highly contagious infection which is the leading cause of gastroenteritis in Australia and worldwide.

Outbreaks are more common during winter and symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea.

A spokeswoman for Great Souther Rail said there had been “intermittent cases of suspected gastro over the past four weeks”.

“On advice from SA Health, we have taken every available measure to control the spread, including boosting our existing high-standard hygiene practices, removing affected carriages and implementing heavy-duty cleaning at all stops,” she said.

“Three journeys have now been made without any further reports. We will continue to monitor and closely liaise with the Health Department in the short term.

“The health and wellbeing of our guests is paramount and we have acted quickly to respond to this situation, including communicating with all those boarding our recent journeys.”

Originally published as Massive outbreak of gastro on Indian Pacific train