French authorities lift lockdown on norovirus-hit cruise ship

"All 1,701 people onboard Ambition were prevented from disembarking for more than 24 hours after it docked in Bordeaux on Tuesday, as one person died and dozens became ill with a vomiting virus. Local authorities allowed asymptomatic people to disembark from Wednesday afternoon, while those who had been infected were ordered to remain onboard in isolation. Norovirus is a highly contagious form of gastroenteritis that causes vomiting and diarrhoea."

"The person who died was a 92-year-old British man who suffered a heart attack. His death appeared to be unrelated to the norovirus outbreak, health authorities said. Essex-based operator Ambassador Cruise Line said on Wednesday that 48 passengers and one crew member had active cases of gastrointestinal illness. There were a total of 1,187 passengers and 514 crew members onboard."

"Samples from those who were ill were tested at a local hospital in Bordeaux. One passenger, Seos Guilidhe, 52, from Belfast, told news agency AFP he was playing bingo during the lockdown, and it is not as bad as it was during Covid. He added that people were going about as normal."

"Ambassador Cruise Line said in a statement: We would like to reassure guests that we take any illnesses aboard our fleet extremely seriously. 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"

A cruise ship with 1,701 people onboard docked in Bordeaux after a norovirus outbreak caused vomiting and diarrhoea. A French lockdown order kept passengers from disembarking for more than 24 hours, during which one person died and dozens became ill. Local authorities later allowed asymptomatic people to disembark from Wednesday afternoon, while those with infection were ordered to remain onboard in isolation. The deceased was a 92-year-old British man whose death was attributed to a heart attack and considered unrelated to the outbreak. The operator reported 48 passengers and one crew member with active gastrointestinal illness. Samples from ill people were tested at a local hospital, and enhanced sanitation and hand hygiene guidance were implemented across the ship.

Read at www.theguardian.com