More than 1,700 people are being held on a UK-operated cruise ship in France after 49 people became ill with gastroenteritis.
Essex-based operator Ambassador Cruise Line said authorities in Bordeaux have instructed all 1,187 passengers and 514 crew members to remain on board while samples from the ship Ambition are tested at a local hospital.
A 92-year-old male passenger on the ship died on Sunday.
He did not show any gastroenteritis symptoms and the cause of death is yet to be established, Ambassador Cruise Line said.
There are 48 passengers and one crew member with “active cases of gastrointestinal illness”, it added.
The ship set sail from Belfast on Friday and called at Liverpool on Saturday, for a 14-night voyage to France and Spain.
Cases of gastroenteritis rose following the embarkation of passengers in Liverpool.
Ambassador Cruise Line said in a statement: “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.”
A spokesman for the cruise line said there was no link with the outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
A spokesperson for the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was aware of the outbreak but has not yet received confirmation of which bug is affecting passengers.
“French authorities are managing the outbreak and we are liaising with them regarding British passengers on board,” a statement said.
