‘Norovirus outbreak’ sees 1700 passengers quarantined on cruise ship which stopped in NI

More than 50 people have reported symptoms of the highly contagious norovirus, with one dead following the suspected outbreak

Holidaymakers and crew aboard a cruise liner have been placed in quarantine following the death of an elderly passenger during a suspected norovirus outbreak – and the ship made a stop-off in Belfast earlier this month.

Over 50 individuals have experienced symptoms of the highly infectious virus while on the Ambassador Cruise Line vessel, called the Ambition, remains moored in Bordeaux. More than 1,700 passengers and crew on the vessel have been restricted to their quarters after the 90-year-old passenger passed away, according to health authorities.

The initial indications of symptoms amongst those travelling on the ship were documented on May 11, Bordeaux authorities confirmed. Approximately 50 people have displayed signs of the highly contagious norovirus, a type of gastroenteritis which triggers vomiting and diarrhoea, health authorities have confirmed, reports the Mirror.

The vessel had departed the Shetland Islands on May 6, before calling at Belfast, Liverpool and Brest in France and arriving in Bordeaux, from where it was due to set sail for Spain today.

The local Gironde prefecture announced in a statement today: “According to information relayed last night by the ship’s captain, up to fifty passengers experienced symptoms consistent with an acute gastrointestinal infection. These passengers were immediately attended to by the ship’s doctor and isolated in their cabins.

“A medical team, supervised by the maritime medical coordination service and under the authority of the maritime prefect, was dispatched on board to assess the health situation. Samples are currently being taken by the infectious diseases department of the Bordeaux University Hospital.”

Officials confirmed that health management procedures had been put in place, noting this virus bore no connection to the hantavirus outbreak which resulted in the deaths of multiple passengers on a different cruise. It remains uncertain how long those on board, believed to be predominantly British and Irish passengers, may remain stranded in France.

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