Cruise ship isolated in France as 1,700 face suspected norovirus outbreak

French authorities have placed more than 1,700 passengers and crew under isolation aboard a cruise ship docked in Bordeaux following a suspected norovirus outbreak, officials said.

The vessel Ambition, carrying 514 crew members and 1,233 passengers—mostly British and Irish nationals—arrived in Bordeaux on the night of May 12. French health officials reported that around 50 people had developed symptoms consistent with the virus, and a 90-year-old passenger had died, The Guardian reports.

Cruise operator Ambassador Cruise Line said the deceased guest had not reported any gastrointestinal symptoms, and the cause of death remains unknown pending a coroner’s report.

The company confirmed 48 active cases of gastrointestinal illness among passengers and one among crew members. French port authorities have ordered all guests and staff to remain onboard while the situation is assessed.

The ship began its voyage in Belfast on May 8 and called at Liverpool on May 9, with the operator noting a rise in reported cases following the Liverpool embarkation.

By Jeyhun Aghazada