St. George’s, (GIS) – The Grenada Government is keeping up a strong vigilance against the H1N1 virus or Swine Flu, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers a global flu pandemic. On Monday, the Ministry of Health refused permission to dock at the St. George’s Port of a cruise liner, Ocean Dream. The tourist boat was said to be carrying as many as 40 passengers and crew who were experiencing flu-like symptoms. Dr. Christine La Grenada said the ministry decided to take precautionary measures by turning the ship away from the island. Grenada’s action came just days after the WHO declared H1N1, which has spread to 74 countries, as a global flu pandemic. Rising cases of the virus are being seen in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan and Chile. “We don’t know what the people have – it’s probably just flu. But we do not want to risk infecting Grenadians with H1N1,’’ said Dr. La Grenade, Community Health officer in the Ministry of Health. Swine Flu first emerged in Mexico in April. Grenada immediately set up screening at the seaport and at Maurice Bishop International Airport. Dr. La Grenade said that because of the short period of time Ocean Dream would have remained on the island, the Heath Ministry would not have had enough to implement its normal screen testing procedure. “We could not swab these persons. Even if we did, by the time the results got back, the ship would have long gone,” Dr. La Grenada explained. “The ministry decided to err on the side of caution.” The Community Health Officer applauded the captain and crew of the ship, saying they were very cooperative with local health authorities.