Southern Africa is battling a massive cholera outbreak. Authorities in Mauritius are also worried about suspected cholera on a cruise ship. They prevented almost 2,200 passengers from disembarking.
More than 3,000 people are stuck on board a cruise ship off the East African island of Mauritius because of a possible cholera outbreak.
After a series of gastrointestinal illnesses on board the “Norwegian Dawn”, the authorities in Mauritius refused to allow the ship to dock in the port of the capital Port Louis on Sunday, after the French island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean had previously turned away the ship .
2,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members
Southern Africa is currently experiencing one of the worst cholera outbreaks in years. “The health and safety of passengers and that of the entire country is of utmost importance to the authorities,” said the port authority. There are almost 2,200 passengers and 1,000 crew members on the ship. The majority of the passengers were actually supposed to disembark in Port Louis, and almost 2,300 were supposed to board again, the authority said.
This is currently not possible, but it could possibly happen on Tuesday, according to a spokesman for the US-based shipping company Norwegian Cruise Line. Some passengers on the “Norwegian Dawn” showed mild symptoms of stomach illness during the twelve-day voyage from South Africa.
Test results expected on Tuesday
Health Ministry employees took samples from around 15 people on board on Sunday morning. The results of the investigation are expected on Tuesday. According to information from authorities, at least 14 passengers and one crew member are said to be suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. They are isolated in their rooms. The shipping company also announced that the hygiene measures on board have been increased and all necessary measures are being taken to protect the guests, the crew and the travel destinations.
Cholera is caused by a bacterium that produces a poison in the intestines. It is spread primarily through contaminated drinking water and contaminated food. Many infections have no symptoms, but in severe cases the severe loss of fluid and salt can lead to circulatory collapse, muscle cramps and even shock and death within hours.