Royal Ballet dancers had swine flu in Cuba

The Royal Ballet's inaugural visit to Cuba last week has been hailed a triumph, but a spokeswoman has also confirmed that a few dancers came down with swine flu during the trip.

Speaking for the London-based company Monday, Elizabeth Bell confirmed that five dancers contracted the H1N1 virus and a sixth showed flu-like symptoms.

Those affected were all isolated and given the antiviral drug Tamiflu, which the company had brought along to Havana, she said.

"It was contained and the show went on," Bell said, according to Reuters. "They are all well now."

No further cases were reported.

British media first reported news about the dancers  — among the 150-member Royal Ballet delegation that had travelled to Havana — on the weekend, noting that among the afflicted were principal dancers Steven McRae and Marianela Nunez, who were unable to perform.

The celebrated company ended five nights of performances in Cuba on Saturday. It was the first time in about three decades that the Communist country had welcomed a foreign ballet company.

The visit was largely attributed to the efforts of Cuban Carlos Acosta, a principal guest dancer with the Royal Ballet.

At the conclusion of the Havana performances, Royal Ballet dancer Alexandra Ansanelli officially retired from performance.