Nearly 1700 Passengers Quarantined on Cruise Ship Due to Suspected Gastroenteritis Outbreak

Paris. Nearly 1700 passengers have been held on a cruise ship in southwest France on suspicion of a potential stomach infection, gastroenteritis. The ship named Ambition had set out on a journey to France and Spain carrying passengers from Belfast and Liverpool in the UK on May 8 and 9. According to the Gironde regional health authority in France, about 50 passengers on board showed symptoms similar to gastroenteritis. Affected passengers were immediately examined by doctors and kept in isolation in their own rooms. Meanwhile, a 92-year-old man traveling on the ship died on May 10, the ship operator Ambassador Cruise Line said. However, it was stated that the person did not show any symptoms of stomach infection-related illness. According to the company, the final conclusion about the cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem report. The company also stated that necessary assistance is being provided to the deceased's family and friends. Regional health officials have clarified that this incident has no connection with the Hantavirus infection seen on another cruise ship named Hondeus. As a precaution, passengers have been temporarily prevented from disembarking. Samples taken from infected passengers are being tested at the infectious disease department of Bordeaux University Hospital. The cruise company has admitted that some passengers and crew members showed symptoms of stomach illness during the 14-day journey, and has stated that strict cleaning and preventive measures have been implemented throughout the ship.