France detains 1,700 people on cruise ship over norovirus

French health authorities detained more than 1,700 people aboard the cruise ship Ambition in the port of Bordeaux, following the confirmation of an outbreak of the norovirus virus that causes acute intestinal infections. The ship that docked Tuesday carries 1,233 passengers, mostly British and Irish nationals, according to the Guardian. Ambassador Cruise Line, the ship's operator, announced the monitoring of 49 Active injury case, involving 48 passengers and 1 crew member during the 14-night cruise. The flight saw the death of a 92-year-old passenger last Sunday, although the company denied a link between the death and the intestinal virus outbreak. The pace of injuries escalated significantly after the ship stopped at Liverpool Harbour on Saturday, after departing from Belfast, prompting the French authorities to issue strict orders to prevent all passengers and crew members from Depart ship until further notice. The operator has implemented strict preventive protocols that include intensifying sterilization operations throughout the vessel, abolishing the self-service system in restaurants and replacing it with direct employee service. She also directed riders to wash hands frequently with free medical advice to follow up on any emergency symptoms. Health authorities sent a specialized medical team and sterilization experts to the ship for a thorough medical review and sample collection Laboratory. The samples were taken to Purdue University Hospital where analysis is expected to take at least 6 hours before a final decision is made on allowing passengers to land.