Over 1,700 people stranded on second cruise ship facing virus outbreak
A second cruise ship is facing an outbreak of sickness as almost 2,000 passengers are being held on board.
The UK-operated Ambition is currently docked in Bordeaux, France, where local authorities say passengers will not be able to disembark.
Three of them are said to be isolated in their cabins.
As of 11am this morning (13 May), it is reported that 48 passengers are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness alongside one crew member.
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And on Sunday, Ambassador Cruise Line said a 92-year-old man passed away onboard. While he didn’t report any related symptoms, his cause of death is yet to be established by a coroner.
According to its operator, there are currently 1,187 guests and 514 crew onboard the cruise ship which set sail from Belfast on 8 May.
The Ambition then headed to Liverpool the following day, with it reported there was an increase in cases of gastrointestinal sickness (often caused by norovirus) after guests boarded here.
A Northern Irish passenger onboard the Ambition told the Belfast Telegraph there was an announcement from the captain at 8am this morning explaining they wouldn't be allowed off in Bordeaux, followed by another at 10am explaining the French government would be running tests to determine if there was a virus outbreak.
While she is aware of a few passengers who are having to isolate, she said the majority of people are 'not confined to our rooms or anything'.
She said the mood on the ship was 'low', but staff were still putting on 'entertainment' for guests.
She added: “There’s been the usual advice about sanitising and washing your hands. The staff are constantly cleaning tables and surfaces in between people moving around.
"The term norovirus hasn’t actually been mentioned in any of the announcements. They’ve only said ‘gastro’.
"I think people are quite nervous about eating from buffets and things like that."
Is this linked to the recent hantavirus outbreak?
Importantly, the local health authorities in Bordeaux said there was ‘no reason’ to link this outbreak to the hantavirus outbreak on another cruise ship.
Ambassador Cruise Line said: “A number of guests and crew onboard Ambition have displayed or are displaying symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness.”
Amid this outbreak, it added that enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols have been implemented on board ‘in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness’.
The measures introduced include the likes of increased cleaning and disinfection in public areas on the boat as well as ongoing guidance to passengers about hand hygeine. They have also been told to report symptoms to the onboard medical team.
French health authorities were informed of the situation as the ship set to make its scheduled stop in Bordeaux. And so, a medical team were dispatched on board to assess with samples making their way to the Bordeaux University Hospital.
The regional health agency said it has suspended passenger disembarkations in southwest France ‘as a precautionary measure due to the contagiousness of gastroenteritis-type illnesses’ while the tests are being processed.
Ambassador said this would take at least six hours and added: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place.”
Gastrointestinal Sickness
This is common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting and is highly contagious. In adults, it is usually caused by norovirus or food poisoning.
It typically lasts one to three days and symptoms tend to pass on their own within a week. The NHS advises staying home to avoid contact with others, staying hydrated and resting.
Topics: Cruise Ship, Travel, Health
Jess Battison