MSC Employs Thermal Imaging for H1N1 Screening

Seatrade Insider
August 17, 2009

MSC Cruises is implementing thermal imaging cameras at embarkation as an additional screening tool for the H1N1 virus. The company said an infrared camera is an effective yet non-intrusive tool for detecting people infected with a viral disease even at a very early stage.

'Whatever we can do to keep our guests and crew safe, if the technology is available, we should try to use it,' Rick Sasso, president and ceo of MSC Cruises USA, told Seatrade Insider.

The camera produces infrared images or 'heat pictures' of a person's body and detects whether their body temperature exceeds a certain threshold. The procedure, monitored by shipboard medical personnel, takes seconds. If required, further medical checks will then be carried out and anyone with symptoms that meet the case definition of H1N1 will not be allowed to embark.

Emilio La Scala, gm for MSC Cruises' technical division, said passengers are happy to undergo the additional screening 'since it makes them feel more secure.'

Thermal imaging has been installed on MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida and will be rolled out fleetwide in September.

The company said it will take all steps to comfortably repatriate passengers whose boarding is denied and to arrange a similar cruise for them at a later date when symptoms have passed.

Like other cruise operators, MSC also uses the H1N1 screening questionnaire developed by Cruise Lines International Association and promotes hand washing on board. The company has upgraded its hand sanitizers in most public areas of all ships, stocks flu medicine and test kits for influenza A and airs a 'how to stay safe' video on the in-cabin television network.