More than 1,000 passengers aboard a UK-operated cruise ship have been temporarily prevented from disembarking in France after dozens of people fell ill with a gastrointestinal illness.
French health authorities in Bordeaux confirmed that 49 individuals on the Ambition cruise ship had reported symptoms linked to the illness. Three passengers have since been isolated in their cabins as a precaution.
Officials also clarified that there is no indication the outbreak is connected to a separate hantavirus incident reported on another cruise ship.
According to Ambassador Cruise Line, the vessel currently carries 1,187 passengers and 514 crew members. The company said 48 passengers and one crew member were showing symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness as of Wednesday morning.
The Ambition departed Belfast on May 8 and later stopped in Liverpool, where the operator said there was a rise in reported cases after additional passengers boarded the ship.
Gastrointestinal illnesses commonly cause symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting and are often linked to norovirus or food poisoning.
In response to the outbreak, the cruise line said enhanced sanitation and prevention measures had been introduced across the vessel. These include increased cleaning and disinfection of public areas, along with reminders to passengers about proper hand hygiene and the importance of reporting symptoms to onboard medical staff.
French regional health authorities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine dispatched a medical team to the ship after it arrived in Bordeaux. Samples have been collected and are being analysed at Bordeaux University Hospital.
Passenger disembarkation has been suspended while authorities await the outcome of the tests, which are expected to take several hours to process.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that a 92-year-old passenger died onboard on Sunday. The company stated that the passenger had not displayed symptoms related to the gastrointestinal illness, and the cause of death is yet to be determined by a coroner.
The cruise operator said the health and safety of passengers and crew remain its top priority as precautionary measures continue.
