As many as 1,700 passengers have been detained on board a cruise ship in southwestern France after dozens of possible cases of gastroenteritis occurred on board.
The ship, named Ambition, was scheduled to pick up passengers from the British cities of Belfast and Liverpool on May 8 and 9, before circumnavigating France and Spain.
Local health authorities in France’s Gironde department said up to 50 passengers on the Ambition suffered symptoms consistent with acute stomach illness.
The passengers immediately sought medical attention and were isolated in their rooms, the statement said.
The ship’s operator, Ambassador Cruise Lines, confirmed to CNN that a 92-year-old man died onboard the ship on May 10, although none of the passengers reported any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.
“The cause of death has not yet been determined pending the full coroner’s report. We are offering all support to the friends and family of the deceased and extend our deepest sympathies to them at this difficult time,” the ship operator said.
Regional health authorities said there is no reason to link the outbreak on board the Ambition to hantavirus infections on the cruise ship Hondius.
As a precautionary measure, the planned disembarkation of passengers in Bordeaux was suspended pending medical tests. Samples taken from the passengers are being analyzed by the Infectious Diseases Department of Bordeaux University Hospital (CHU).
Ambassador Cruise Lines has confirmed that a number of guests and crew members aboard the Ambition are exhibiting or are exhibiting symptoms consistent with gastrointestinal illness during the scheduled 14-night trip.
“We want to reassure our customers that we take all illnesses on board our ships very seriously,” the cruise line said.
“Following the initial reports of illness, enhanced hygiene and prevention protocols were immediately implemented ship-wide, in line with established public health protocols.”
CNN’s Caitlin Danaher contributed reporting.
