Cruise ships have come under fresh scrutiny this month, after a series of reports linking vessels to virus outbreaks and on-board quarantines.
Earlier in the month, a hantavirus outbreak was reported on the MV Hondius. Now, a separate incident has left around 1,700 people confined to a ship called Ambition, currently docked in Bordeaux, France, following a suspected norovirus outbreak.
Passengers have been instructed to stay on the vessel while test samples are sent to Bordeaux University Hospital for analysis.
Roughly 50 people are said to be experiencing symptoms consistent with norovirus. One death has also been reported, though officials have not confirmed what caused it.
Ambition left Belfast on 8 May and reached Bordeaux on the morning of 13 May. Most passengers are understood to be British and Irish.
Norovirus—often referred to as the ‘winter vomiting bug’—is highly infectious and can trigger acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines. It spreads easily through contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces, or eating or drinking contaminated food and water.
Infections can bring on sudden and intense vomiting and diarrhoea.
While contaminated food or water is a frequent source, the virus can also pass between people through close contact, particularly in enclosed settings such as shared accommodation.
The Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms of norovirus can begin abruptly and may include a number of common signs associated with the infection.
For many people, the illness runs its course relatively quickly. Symptoms typically appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure and usually last one to three days. However, a person may continue to shed the virus in their stool for weeks after they feel better.
Ambassador Cruise Line told the BBC that the passenger who died was a 92-year-old man. The company said he did not report symptoms, and that the cause of death has not yet been determined.
They wrote: “We are providing every support to the deceased’s friends and family and extend our most sincere condolences to them at this difficult time.”
The company added that it wanted to reassure those on board, saying it takes illness across its fleet ‘extremely seriously’.
The statement continued: “Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness.
“The comprehensive health and safety measures introduced include increased cleaning and disinfection measures in public areas, assisted service in selected dining venues and ongoing guidance to guests regarding hand hygiene, including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitisers and the prompt reporting of any symptoms to the onboard medical team.”
Health authorities in Bordeaux have also stressed that this situation is not connected to the earlier hantavirus outbreak on the M.V Hondius.