Three Canadians onboard cruise ship hit with norovirus outbreak
Several Canadians are among the passengers on board a cruise ship that was hit with a norovirus outbreak.
MS Ambition, a cruise ship operated by U.K.-based Ambassador Cruise Line, has been dealing with an outbreak of norovirus. The infection, often called stomach flu, can cause gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and can affect people of all ages.
Ambition departed Belfast on May 8 and then Liverpool on May 9, after which the number of cases spiked. The ship is scheduled to sail for 14 nights along western France and Spain.
In an email to Daily Hive, a spokesperson for Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that three Canadians are among the 1,187 guests on board the ship. On May 10, a 92-year-old male guest passed away; however, the guest did not report any symptoms of gastroenteritis, and the cause of death is still pending.
When the ship reached Bordeaux, it was briefly quarantined as French authorities conducted a review of the ship’s health status and records. A medical team collected samples for testing at Bordeaux University Hospital and confirmed that the illness onboard is viral gastroenteritis (norovirus), which is spread through person-to-person contact or contaminated surfaces.
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The company stated that it has enhanced sanitation measures in place and is offering free medical consultations relating to the outbreak.
“We would like to thank guests and crew for their patience, understanding and cooperation while precautionary measures remain in place,” stated a release.
According to Health Canada, norovirus symptoms start as soon as 12 hours after exposure. Main symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramps, and vomiting. Others may also experience chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, and low-grade fever.
“Norovirus can make you vomit and have diarrhea several times a day,” states the website. “This can lead to dehydration (loss of fluids).”
Most recover within two to three days; however, in severe cases, people may need to be admitted to the hospital and given fluids intravenously.
Six Canadians were also onboard the MV Hondius, which experienced a deadly hantavirus outbreak.