More than 3,000 people are stranded on a cruise ship off the coast of the island of Mauritius in East Africa, after several passengers on board suffered from digestive problems. Due to passenger illness, Mauritian authorities refused to allow the Norwegian Dawn ship to dock in Port Louis. There are fears of a cholera outbreak on board the ship, as southern Africa is suffering from the worst outbreak of this infectious disease in years. The ship was previously rejected on the French island of La Reunion.
Port authorities said that most of the 2,184 passengers were supposed to begin their return journey on Sunday, and at the same time 2,279 new passengers had to board in Port Louis. There are also 1,026 crew members on board.
The Ministry of Health took samples from about fifteen people. The result is expected on Tuesday. Authorities said at least 14 passengers and one crew member suffered from diarrhea and vomiting. They are isolated in their rooms.
Mild symptoms
US shipping company Norwegian Cruise Line has heard that a small number of guests on the twelve-day voyage from South Africa showed mild symptoms of a stomach illness. “As a result of additional testing imposed by the authorities, the Government of Mauritius has postponed the disembarkation of the current cruise and the embarkation of the next cruise by two days, until 27 February.”
The flight departed South Africa on 13 February and sailed to Mauritius via Madagascar and Réunion. The Norwegian Dawn then had to return to South Africa with new passengers.
It was also rejected at La Réunion
On Friday, La Réunion rejected the ship due to gastrointestinal complaints among some passengers. The governorate said that the authorities there proposed sending medicines on board the ship and conducting tests, but the shipping company decided to skip the several-hour stop on the island and sail directly to Mauritius.
Thirteen affected countries in southern Africa have reported 200,000 cholera cases and more than 3,000 deaths as of mid-January. Because a small number of cases have been identified in the Comoros, Mauritius is on high alert.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.
“Lifelong food practitioner. Zombie geek. Explorer. Reader. Subtly charming gamer. Entrepreneur. Devoted analyst.”
More Stories
Britons are being warned of rising tourist phobia in Benidorm
Thousands of Spaniards support Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and ask him to remain in office.
Repercussions and scenarios after the possible resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Spain