More than 1,700 passengers and crew remain stranded on the British cruise ship Ambition in Bordeaux, France, following a gastroenteritis outbreak that has left dozens ill and resulted in the death of a 92-year-old man. French authorities have halted disembarkation to contain the spread of the illness.
Outbreak Details
The Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, was midway through a two-week voyage from Belfast and Liverpool, with planned stops in northern Spain and along France's Atlantic coast. It arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening. As of late Wednesday morning, 48 passengers and one crew member were exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the operator. Cases increased after passengers boarded in Liverpool on May 9.
The 92-year-old male passenger died on Sunday, but he had not reported symptoms consistent with the illness. His cause of death has yet to be determined by a coroner.
Official Response
Etienne Guyot, the prefect of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and Gironde department, suspended disembarkation from the Ambition and restricted the vessel's interactions with the port of Bordeaux. This action was taken on the recommendation of the regional health agency, Agence Regionale de Sante Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Up to 50 people aboard developed symptoms linked to an acute digestive infection, and patients have been isolated in their cabins as medical teams boarded the ship.
Samples from affected passengers are being analyzed at a Bordeaux hospital to identify the pathogen responsible.
Comparison to Hantavirus Outbreak
This incident follows a deadly hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship last month, which left three passengers dead and sparked an international health alert. However, French authorities have stressed there is "no reason" to link the two outbreaks. A joint statement by Guyot and the regional health agency said, "There is no reason to establish a link between this outbreak aboard a cruise ship from Belfast and Liverpool and the hantavirus cases detected aboard the MV Hondius."
The hantavirus outbreak resulted in nine confirmed cases and two suspected cases, with passengers hospitalized in Britain, France, Spain, and the US.
Symptoms and Precautions
Gastroenteritis typically causes sudden, intense diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, along with nausea, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. Passengers and crew are being advised to follow hygiene measures to prevent further spread.
