French authorities have temporarily prevented 1,233 passengers and 514 crew from leaving the British cruise ship Ambition docked in Bordeaux after nearly 50 suspected gastroenteritis cases were reported on board.

The vessel, carrying mostly British and Irish nationals and one French person, had sailed from Belfast and Liverpool before arriving in southwestern France on Tuesday evening.

In a statement Wednesday, the regional health authority said there was no indication the outbreak was linked to a hantavirus cluster reported on the luxury ship MV Hondius, which had traveled between Argentina and the Canary Islands.

Officials said the disembarkation restriction was a precautionary measure while medical tests are carried out.

Cruise operator Ambassador Cruise Line said enhanced sanitation and prevention measures were immediately introduced on the vessel. The company reported 48 passengers and one crew member showing gastrointestinal symptoms as of Wednesday morning.

Ambassador said its data showed cases rose after passengers boarded in Liverpool on Saturday. All shore excursions at Bordeaux were canceled and affected passengers offered full refunds.

A 92-year-old British passenger died onboard of cardiac arrest Monday during a stop in Brest, Brittany, but that death does not appear linked to the gastrointestinal outbreak.

Gastrointestinal illnesses are relatively common on cruise ships due to rapid virus spread in enclosed spaces. The US CDC has reported four outbreaks on cruise ships so far this year.

Source: www.aljazeera.com