PARIS (AP) – A significant health incident has unfolded aboard the British cruise ship Ambition, which is carrying over 1,700 passengers and crew members. French authorities issued an order for everyone on board to remain within the confines of the ship due to an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, as confirmed on Wednesday.
The regional health authorities have clarified that this incident is unrelated to a recent deadly hantavirus outbreak that affected another vessel, prompting heightened alerts across Europe. The Ambition, which embarked on a 14-night journey from Belfast and Liverpool, has stopped in several ports in northern Spain and along France's Atlantic coast; it docked in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening, according to Ambassador Cruise Line, the operator.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which monitors health outbreaks on cruise ships, documented 23 gastrointestinal-related incidents last year. Most of these outbreaks were attributed to norovirus, including a newly identified strain. Just last week, the Caribbean Princess cruise ship reported a norovirus outbreak that notably affected more than 140 passengers and 15 crew members, further highlighting ongoing health concerns within the cruise industry.
The prefect of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and Gironde department, Étienne Guyot, announced the suspension of disembarkation at Bordeaux and imposed restrictions on the ship's interface with the port. This action was motivated by recommendations from the Agence Régionale de Santé Nouvelle-Aquitaine, as the ship’s captain had alerted authorities to the outbreak on Tuesday evening after up to 50 passengers began displaying symptoms indicative of an acute digestive infection.
Those affected by the illness received treatment from the ship’s onboard medical staff and were isolated in their cabins to prevent further spread. A specialized medical team was dispatched to the vessel to assist, and samples from the ill passengers are currently being analyzed at a Bordeaux hospital.
In a joint statement, health authorities noted, “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.” This clarification comes amidst ongoing concerns surrounding the hantavirus outbreak impacted multiple countries, evidenced by the hospitalization of several passengers in Britain, France, Spain, and the United States. The Hondius outbreak has tragically resulted in three deaths and nine confirmed cases, with an additional two suspected cases reported.
Ambassador Cruise Line disclosed that a 92-year-old male passenger passed away on Sunday, though he had not exhibited symptoms linked to the gastrointestinal illness. The cause of death remains pending investigation by a coroner. The cruise line reported that as of late Wednesday morning, a total of 48 passengers and one crew member were displaying gastrointestinal symptoms.
According to the cruise operator, there has been a noted uptick in cases following the boarding of passengers in Liverpool on May 9. In light of the outbreak, all scheduled shore excursions in Bordeaux have been canceled, and affected passengers are being offered full refunds. Ambassador Cruise Line, established in 2021, primarily caters to travelers over the age of 50.
