Gastrointestinal illness outbreak leaves over 1000 passengers on a UK-operated cruise ship in France after 49 fell ill

Over 1,000 passengers aboard the UK-operated cruise ship Ambition have been prevented from leaving the vessel in France after 49 people were affected by a gastrointestinal illness, according to BBC.

Health authorities in Bordeaux stated that three infected passengers were placed in isolation in their cabins, and all remaining passengers were temporarily prohibited from disembarking at the port.

Approximately 1,700 people are currently on board the ship, reported French media. According to Ambassador Cruise Line, the ship is currently carrying 1,187 passengers and 514 crew members, reported BBC, noting that the Ambition departed from Belfast on May 8 and made a stop in Liverpool the following day.

Regional health authorities mentioned there is no evidence linking the apparent stomach flu outbreak aboard the Ambition, which had sailed from Belfast and Liverpool, to the recent hantavirus cluster reported on the luxury ship Hondius, which had traveled between Argentina and the Canary Islands.

One passenger has reportedly died, according to French media outlets, including BFM TV.

Officials said the restriction preventing passengers from leaving the ship is temporary and will remain in place until medical test results are available, as per Reuters.

In a post on Facebook, Ambassador Cruise Line said it had immediately introduced enhanced cleaning and preventive health measures on board the vessel.

"Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark," it stated.

Ambassador Cruise Line told the BBC that a 92-year-old passenger died on board on Sunday. The company said the man had not shown any symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal illness, and the exact cause of death will be determined by a coroner. The cruise operator added that it is extending full support to the passenger’s family and friends and expressed its deepest condolences during this difficult time.

The regional health authority in Nouvelle-Aquitaine said a medical team was sent to the ship to evaluate the outbreak, and samples are being analysed at Bordeaux University Hospital, the report said.

The agency added that passengers have been temporarily barred from leaving the vessel “as a precautionary measure due to the contagiousness of gastroenteritis-type illnesses”. The restriction will remain in place until the test results are available.

The medical test results are expected to take at least six hours to be processed, the cruise operator said, as per BBC.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remains our highest priority, and we are sincerely grateful for the patience, understanding and cooperation shown while these precautionary measures remain in place," it added.

About Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as stomach flu, typically causes vomiting and diarrhea. The illness spreads easily but is usually mild, although it can sometimes result in complications such as dehydration.

This condition is markedly different from Hantavirus infection, which carries a significantly higher fatality risk but rarely spreads between people and generally requires close contact for transmission.

Gastrointestinal infections are reportedly not uncommon on cruise vessels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already documented four cruise ship outbreaks this year, including two linked to Escherichia coli infection and two caused by Norovirus infection.