Local authorities in southwest France stopped passengers and crew from leaving a cruise ship in Bordeaux on Wednesday, as a precautionary measure after dozens of cases of possible gastroenteritis on board.
There is no reason to link what appears to be a stomach flu outbreak aboard a ship that departed Belfast and Liverpool to the hantavirus cluster aboard the luxury Hondius ship, which traveled between Argentina and the Canary Islands, the regional health authority said in a statement.
One 92-year-old British passenger had passed away on board due to cardiac arrest during a stop in Brest, Brittany, on May 11. That death did not appear to be associated with the gastrointestinal outbreak at this stage, the Gironde Prefecture said.
The vessel was carrying 1,233 passengers, most of them British or Irish nationals, and 514 crew members. One passenger was a French national.
Eye-tracking study reveals the top 20 most stunning cruise ports
1 of 8
From ports decorated with centuries-old architecture to sunlit turquoise bays, a new eye-tracking study revealed the world’s most beautiful cruise ports, with three Caribbean spots making the top 20.
The research, conducted by travel insurance experts at AllClear, used eye-tracking technology to measure which of the world’s travel hotspots are the most impressive to arrive at by sea. They measured which cruise ports caught people’s attention first, and held it the longest, revealing the world’s most captivating coastal arrivals.
1. Valletta Cruise Port, Malta
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, our study’s most beautiful cruise port is a masterpiece in harbour aesthetics. Its combination of golden limestone reflecting off the glistening water provides the ultimate, jaw-dropping arrival into this exciting Mediterranean city, and with the longest fixation time of any port in the study, Malta certainly earned its place as our number one. What cruisers will love: Walk into the historic town in just 15 minutes and explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral with its Baroque artwork, or head to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views of the harbour itself.
The ban on disembarking passengers is temporary and pending the outcome of medical tests, officials said.
The ship’s operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said in a Facebook post that enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols had been implemented immediately on the vessel, named Ambition. “Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark,” it said.
Gastrointestinal illnesses can be common on cruise ships. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported two outbreaks of E. coli and two outbreaks of norovirus this year already on cruise ships.
Gastroenteritis is a stomach flu. The main symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. It is very contagious but usually does not have major consequences, though it can sometimes lead to more severe symptoms, including dehydration.
It is very different from the hantavirus, which has a high lethality rate but transmits from person to person only in rare cases and requires close contact.
Contributing: Dominique Vidalon, Michaela Cabrera, Jennifer Rigby, Ingrid Melander; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruise passengers blocked from leaving ship over likely stomach flu