More than 1,700 passengers and crew were confined to the British cruise ship Ambition in Bordeaux this week after anorovirus outbreak, and the death of an elderly passenger triggered an emergency public health investigation.
French authorities blocked disembarkation for over 24 hours as medical teams scrambled to contain the highly contagious 'winter vomiting bug' that has left dozens of holidaymakers confined to their cabins.
The vessel, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, was midway through a 14-night 'Delights of Western France and Spain Explorer' itinerary when the outbreak escalated. 48 passengers and one crew member displayed symptoms of acute gastrointestinal illness shortly after the ship departed from Liverpool.
The cruise ship is carrying 1,187 guests and 514 crew members and was placed on lockdown following the rising number of passengers falling ill, as perITV News. The crisis reached a peak when the ship docked in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening, 12 May.
Meanwhile, Étienne Guyot, the prefect of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, acted on the recommendation of regional health agencies to restrict all movement between the ship and the port.
48 active cases of gastrointestinal illness (GII) were reported, and a specialist medical team from Bordeaux University Hospital was dispatched to collect samples, while all scheduled shore excursions were cancelled. It was later confirmed that gastrointestinal illness affecting those on board was viral gastroenteritis or norovirus.
Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that those affected were isolated in their cabins and treated by the ship's medical staff. The line stated that an increase in cases was observed specifically after the embarkation of guests in Liverpool on 9 May.
'At this stage, no serious cases have been reported,' Ambassador Cruise Line said in a statement. The line also confirmed that a 92-year-old male guest on board passed away on 10 May, but clarified that 'the guest did not report GII illness symptoms.'
By Thursday morning, 14 May, French health authorities had cleared passengers to leave the ship. 'Ambition has now been released by the relevant French health authorities to continue normal operations,' the Essex-based cruise line said.
An Ambassador Cruise Line spokesperson added that 'Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures.'
Source: International Business Times UK
