A cruise ship docked in Bordeaux, France, has been placed underlockdown, with more than 1,700 passengers and crew confined onboard following a suspected norovirus outbreak that left one elderly passenger dead and dozens ill.
The vessel, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, had been on a multi-stop European voyage when it arrived in Bordeaux, where medical concerns quickly escalated after reports of gastrointestinal symptoms among passengers.
Around 50 passengers reported symptoms consistent with acute gastroenteritis, including vomiting and diarrhoea - classic signs of norovirus infection, a highly contagious virus known for spreading quickly in enclosed environments such as cruise ships.
The lockdown was triggered after the death of a 92-year-old passenger on Sunday, though authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the death and the outbreak. The Ambassador Cruise Line said that the deceased did not have any symptoms of norovirus, and the cause of death has yet to be established,The Guardianreported.
Despite the uncertainty, French officials moved quickly to isolate the ship, citing the high transmissibility of norovirus in crowded, shared environments.
All passengers were required to remain onboard while medical teams monitored and treated those affected.
Several passengers noticed unusual activities on board, with one passenger telling the BBC that they were 'not allowed to help ourselves at the self-service buffet'.
She also recalled that staff removed condiments, while knives and forks were handed to them wrapped up. The pools and jacuzzi were also closed.
She also stated that one passenger was sick on the bus in front of her, while another was on the deck.
Another passenger said they were informed about sick passengers after departing Liverpool, adding that people who got ill were isolating in their cabins.
Source: International Business Times UK
