French authorities have confirmed a norovirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship Ambition, currently docked in Bordeaux in southwestern France, after several passengers and crew members developed symptoms linked to viral gastroenteritis.
The prefecture of Gironde said tests conducted at Bordeaux University Hospital confirmed norovirus as the cause of the outbreak.
The highly contagious virus commonly spreads in enclosed places such as cruise ships.
The Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday evening. Authorities stopped around 1,700 passengers and crew members from leaving the vessel after a passenger aged about 90 died on board.
Officials linked the death to a possible gastroenteritis-like illness after nearly 80 people reported digestive symptoms during the voyage.
Authorities, however, said no severe cases have emerged so far.
Health officials allowed asymptomatic passengers to disembark while infected people remained isolated onboard.
Authorities also continued quarantine and hygiene measures as they monitored the outbreak.
The cruise operator will decide whether to continue the journey after further medical assessments.
Norovirus spreads quickly in enclosed spaces and often causes outbreaks on cruise ships, in hospitals and care homes. Common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and nausea.
Global health authorities continue to monitor concerns related to hantavirus infections linked to another cruise vessel, the MV Hondius.
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently warned that additional hantavirus cases could emerge in the coming weeks because of the virus’s long incubation period.
According to the WHO, 11 hantavirus-related cases, including three deaths, have been reported so far.
Nine cases have been confirmed as Andes virus infections, while two others remain probable cases.
Despite the concerns, the WHO has stated that the overall global public health risk currently remains low.
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