Hundreds of Britons in lockdown on cruise after suspected norovirus outbreak kills one person

Hundreds of British and Irish nationals are in lockdown on a cruise after a passenger died in a suspected norovirus outbreak.

More than 1,700 passengers and crew are being held on the French cruise ship docked in Bordeaux, southwest France, as a precautionary measure after dozens of possible cases were identified on the vessel.

A 92-year-old passenger has died, and about 50 people had shown symptoms of the virus, according to French health officials.

The operator, Ambassador Cruise Line, said the cause of death of the passenger is yet to be established, pending a coroner’s full report.

The 14-night cruise which departed Belfast on Friday and Liverpool on Saturday before arriving in Bordeaux on Tuesday where it has now been held, is unable to move until the outcome of medical tests.

The regional health authority clarified that there is no connection between this suspected stomach flu outbreak and a hantavirus cluster previously reported on the luxury Hondius ship.

Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, is highly contagious with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea, but typically has no major consequences, though dehydration can occur.

This contrasts sharply with hantavirus, which carries a high lethality rate but rarely transmits between people.

Ambassador Cruise Line said in a Facebook post: “We would like to reassure guests that we take any illnesses aboard our fleet extremely seriously. Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness.

“The comprehensive health and safety measures introduced include increased cleaning and disinfection measures in public areas, assisted service in selected dining venues and ongoing guidance to guests regarding hand hygiene, including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitisers and the prompt reporting of any symptoms to the onboard medical team.”

The operator added: “While the investigation and testing are ongoing, all guests and crew have been instructed to remain onboard under the direction of the local shore authorities. Once clearance is granted, guests will be permitted to disembark.”

While onboard, medical staff are tending to passengers and crew and samples are being sent for laboratory testing at Bordeaux University hospital. All hore excursions are cancelled and everyone has been ordered to stay on board.

Gastrointestinal illnesses are not uncommon on cruise ships. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has already documented four outbreaks this year, including two of E.coli and two of norovirus.