French authorities have lifted a lockdown on the Ambition cruise ship after confirming it was caused by a gastrointestinal virus. The outbreak began following an elderly man's death from a heart attack.
French authorities have lifted a lockdown on the Ambition cruise ship in Bordeaux, France, after confirming that the recent sickness among passengers and crew was due to a gastrointestinal virus. This decision comes as the ship had been under strict quarantine since earlier this week, with more than 1,700 people on board.
Initially, French health officials ordered a lockdown for the Ambition following reports of an elderly British passenger's death from a heart attack and subsequent outbreaks among passengers and crew. The lockdown was implemented to prevent further spread of illness and maintain public safety.
However, testing conducted by local government and regional health agencies has now confirmed that the outbreak on the ship is caused by a viral gastroenteritis. Authorities stated there were no severe cases reported, and those who are asymptomatic can now leave the ship. Those infected remain isolated on board for their own protection.
Earlier this week, authorities had ordered an evacuation of 1,700 passengers and crew from the MV Hondius cruise ship after a suspected hantavirus outbreak killed three people in the Netherlands. This incident sparked international alarm and led to heightened scrutiny over potential health risks associated with cruises.
The Ambition arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday with 1,233 passengers, primarily from Britain and Ireland, and 514 crew members. As of Wednesday, 80 individuals on board had symptoms consistent with an acute digestive infection. The lockdown was initially implemented as a precautionary measure to avoid any potential psychosis among the passengers.
Passengers who were previously confined to their cabins have now been given permission to disembark under strict sanitation guidelines. One passenger, Seos Guilidhe from Belfast, shared his experience on Facebook, noting that while there had been some initial concern due to the death of an elderly man and reports of upset stomachs among others, health authorities assured him that no link has been established between these cases.
Guilidhe described life aboard as "not as bad as it was during COVID," with passengers continuing their usual activities. Others expressed mixed feelings about the lifting of restrictions, with some reporting challenges in managing symptoms while remaining on board.
The Ambition is operated by UK-based Ambassador Cruise Line and had been scheduled to depart for Spain from Bordeaux. However, due to the outbreak, its planned route has been altered, and it will now return to Liverpool before continuing its journey.
Health authorities emphasized that no connection has been established between the Ambition's outbreak and the hantavirus strain affecting the MV Hondius. They also the deceased passenger had suffered a heart attack and that his death was unrelated to the gastrointestinal infection.
As passengers prepare to leave, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that proper sanitation measures are in place to prevent further spread of the virus among those who have already been infected. The lifting of restrictions marks an important step in addressing this recent outbreak on the cruise ship and restoring normalcy for those affected.
