France confines 1,700 passengers on cruise ship after suspected gastroenteritis outbreak
More than 1,700 individuals have been confined on Wednesday aboard a cruise ship in Bordeaux, southwestern France, after a passenger died and dozens of others developed signs linked to a suspected gastroenteritis outbreak, French media reported.
“According to information provided last night by the ship’s captain, up to around 50 passengers have experienced symptoms consistent with an acute digestive infection,” the native well being authorities wrote in a press launch.
These passengers have been instantly taken care of by the ship’s physician and remoted of their cabins.
The cruise ship Ambition, a part of the Ambassador Cruise Line firm, left the Shetland Islands north of Scotland on May 6, stopped in Belfast in Northern Ireland and Liverpool in England earlier than reaching Bordeaux, from the place it was scheduled to depart for Spain.
The regional well being company in Nouvelle-Aquitaine stated {that a} medical group has been dispatched on board to hold out a well being scenario evaluation, and samples are at present being collected by the infectious illness division of Bordeaux University Hospital.
“There is no reason to draw any connection between this outbreak aboard a cruise ship arriving from Belfast and Liverpool and the hantavirus cases detected on the MV Hondius,” the French well being authorities stated.
As a precautionary measure, “given the contagious nature of gastroenteritis-type illnesses and pending the results of the samples,” the native authorities have determined to droop the disembarkation of passengers and crew and restrict interactions with the port.
Initial exams dominated out an outbreak of norovirus, a extremely contagious type of gastroenteritis which causes vomiting and diarrhea, however secondary exams have been nonetheless underway, they added.
Food poisoning had not been excluded.
Passengers on board the Ambition confirmed peak signs on Monday when the ship was docked in Brest, the officers stated.
Gastroenteritis is widespread on cruise ships
Onboard outbreaks are unusual relative to the entire variety of voyages, however after they do happen they’re usually associated to gastrointestinal viruses.
The United States’ Vessel Sanitation Program has registered 4 outbreaks in 2026, two associated to norovirus and two from E.coli.
“Food service plays a big part in this risk. Buffet-style dining, shared utensils, and many people touching the same surfaces can make it easier for stomach bugs to spread,” Vikram Niranjan, assistant professor in public well being on the University of Limerick in Ireland, wrote in The Conversation.
