French health authorities have placed more than 1,700 people aboard a cruise ship under quarantine in Bordeaux following the death of a passenger and fears of a gastrointestinal outbreak.
According to authorities, the vessel arrived early on Wednesday from Brest after an elderly passenger, believed to be around 90 years old, died during the journey.
Among the 1,233 passengers, mainly British and Irish nationals, around 50 reported symptoms linked to gastroenteritis.
Health officials said laboratory tests are under way to determine whether norovirus may be responsible for the outbreak. The ship is also carrying 514 crew members.
Cruise travelled from Shetland Islands
The cruise ship belongs to Ambassador Cruise Line and departed from the Shetland Islands on 6 May.
Before arriving in Bordeaux, the vessel made stops in Belfast, Liverpool and Brest. It is scheduled to continue towards Spain once authorities allow departure.
By Wednesday afternoon, the ship remained docked at the port of Bordeaux, although no special security measures had been introduced ashore. Passengers could reportedly still be seen photographing the city from the deck.
Authorities await further test results
Initial onboard tests reportedly showed no signs of norovirus, but additional examinations are being carried out at Bordeaux University Hospital.
Authorities said they have not ruled out food poisoning as a possible cause of the outbreak.
Officials also rejected any connection to hantavirus, which was recently linked to the deaths of three passengers aboard the MV Hondius.
Health authorities said the peak of symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhoea, was recorded on 11 May while the ship was docked in Brest.
Also read: British tourist quarantined in Milan after hantavirus contact
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