Bordeaux, May 14: A norovirus outbreak has been confirmed on the cruise ship ‘Ambition,’ which is currently docked in the southwestern region of France. The Gironde Prefecture announced this in a statement released on Wednesday.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of severe cases related to the virus. Passengers showing no symptoms have been allowed to disembark from the ship.
Operated by the British company Ambassador Cruise Line, the ‘Ambition’ arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening. The disembarkation of approximately 1,700 passengers and crew was halted following the death of a 90-year-old passenger.
According to the Xinhua news agency, the death of the elderly passenger may be linked to a gastroenteritis-like infection. Around 80 individuals on board are currently experiencing gastrointestinal issues.
Subsequent epidemiological and biological tests conducted at Bordeaux University Hospital confirmed the spread of the infection. The statement indicated that those infected will be isolated on the ship. Quarantine and sanitation measures will continue. A final decision on whether to proceed with further travel will be made by the cruise operator after receiving medical reports.
Norovirus is a highly contagious cause of acute gastroenteritis and is known to spread rapidly in confined spaces such as cruise ships. Meanwhile, concerns regarding hantavirus also persist.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on Tuesday that additional hantavirus cases may emerge in the coming weeks following the evacuation of passengers from the infected cruise ship MV Hondius. However, he noted that the global public health risk remains low at this time.
Tedros mentioned during a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, “Given the duration of the virus, it is possible that more cases will arise in the coming weeks.” So far, 11 cases related to hantavirus have been reported, with three fatalities. Of these, nine have been confirmed as cases of Andes virus infection, while the remaining two are considered probable cases.
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