North Sea oil rig evacuated following suspected outbreak of norvirus bug

OIL workers have been evacuated from a North Sea platform following a suspected outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

Three personnel on the Heather Alpha installation, 100 miles North east of the Shetland Islands, have been placed in quarantine and isolated on the installation as a precautionary measure.

The platform is operated on behalf of EnQuest by Aberdeen-based oil service company Petrofac.

A Petrofac spokeswoman said: “Petrofac as duty holder of the Heather installation on behalf of EnQuest can confirm that there are currently three suspected cases of norovirus, the winter vomiting virus, on the installation.

“Personnel who have contracted the virus have all been provided with medical support as required and quarantined in designated cabins, in line with company procedures.

“All reasonable steps have been taken to contain the spread of the virus and support and guidance is being provided by onshore doctors and occupational health professionals including NHS Grampian’s Health Protection Team.”

She added: “As an additional precautionary measure we are reducing the number of non-essential personnel on the installation to limit further spread of the virus.”

She declined to comment on the number of personnel being evacuated from the platform.

Warning

Earlier this month Abermed, the Aberdeen-based occupational health service, warned of the potential spread of the bug to offshore installations following an outbreak of norovirus at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

A company spokeswoman said: “We have been advised that Grampian is currently affected by an outbreak of norovirus. Aberdeen Royal Infirmary has seen a recent influx of cases which are now adversely affecting hospital staff. In line with previous local outbreaks we expect to see this pattern reflected in the offshore community within a matter of days.

“Noroviris is highly contagious,. Outbreaks spread easily and quickly. Everyone needs to take basic precautions to reduce the chance that they become infected and to reduce the chance of passing the illness on to others. “