The French government has ordered the confinement of more than 1700 people aboard a docked cruise ship off the coast of Bordeaux following suspected gastroenteritis outbreak, usually caused by norovirus.
According to reports, the cruise ship named ‘Ambition’, operated by United Kingdom-based Ambassador Cruise Line, had set off on a 14-night tour of Western France and Northern Spain when it arrived at the French port.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Regional Health Agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine said the decision to temporarily prevent passengers on the ship from leaving was triggered by health management protocols.
The agency disclosed that up to 50 passengers were believed to be showing symptoms consistent with an acute digestive infection, citing information provided by the captain of the ship on Tuesday.
“According to information transmitted yesterday evening by the captain of the ship, up to fifty passengers were affected by symptoms compatible with an acute digestive infection.
“These passengers were immediately taken care of by the on-board doctor and isolated in their cabin,” the regional health authority said.
Additionally, a team of medical experts from Bordeaux University Hospital had been sent onboard the ship to assess the situation.
They will also take samples for analysis to precisely identify the pathogen that is involved, determine the risks of transmission and appropriate measures.
“A medical mission, supervised by the maritime medical coordination service, placed under the authority of the maritime prefect, was dispatched on board to carry out a health situation update.
“Samples are being taken by the infectious diseases department of Bordeaux University Hospital,” the agency noted.
The latest outbreak came just two weeks after cases of deadly hantavirus were reported among several passengers on Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius after two people died from the severe acute respiratory.
The World Health Organisation, on Wednesday , stated a total of 11 cases of hantavirus have been detected, including two three deaths. However, Regional Health Agency of Nouvelle-Aquitaine maintained there was no connection between the outbreaks onboard Ambition and MV Hondius.
“There is no reason to link this outbreak on board a cruise ship from Belfast and Liverpool to the hantavirus cases detected on the MV Hondius ship,” the RHA stated.
