But no cholera: cruise ship is allowed to dock in Mauritius after suspicion

Some did not get on board, others could only watch from the water at the port of Port Louis in Mauritius in the Indian Ocean: Since Sunday, more than 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members have been on board the cruise ship “Norwegian” because of suspected cholera outbreaks Dawn».

According to the harbor master of Port Louis, the ship is anchored three kilometers from the port. The ship was initially not allowed to come closer to the East African island.

On Monday afternoon the end of the layover seemed to be in sight. After a meeting of the island state’s authorities, it was said that the “Norwegian Dawn” would be allowed to dock. The first passengers should be able to disembark at 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning. However, the suspicion of cholera was not confirmed. Samples taken Sunday from about 15 people on board showed no signs of cholera, authorities said.

This was preceded by an involuntary delay of the cruise from South Africa via Madagascar and La Réunion to Mauritius. After a series of gastrointestinal illnesses on board, authorities in Mauritius refused to allow the ship to dock in the port of the capital Port Louis on Sunday. The French island of La Réunion had previously rejected the ship.

The forced stop shortly before the destination delayed the planned return journey for the majority of the 2,184 passengers. According to American cruise line Norwegian Cruise Line, the original 2,279 new travelers scheduled to board the ship in Port Louis were initially housed in hotels. According to information from authorities, at least fourteen passengers and one crew member suffered from diarrhea and vomiting.

An involuntary rest break is required for passengers who show no symptoms of illness. “Jogging, eating, relaxing,” said a dpa reporter on Monday about the current activities on board.

Passengers on the cruise ship reacted differently to the situation. “Everything is normal and we are having fun,” a Mauritian guest told dpa, but criticized the lack of communication on board and from the tour operator.

A couple from Reunion Island who boarded the ship in Cape Town also complained about the communications. “As soon as we left Cape Town they knew there was a problem. The buffet was gone. We were served with gloves. There were rumors of gastroenteritis,” the man told dpa.

He continued: «We wanted to get off on Saturday on Reunion Island. In the morning we were told that the ship would go to Mauritius instead. We were a little worried. Ultimately we thought we would disembark in Mauritius and fly back to Reunion Island. Then we suddenly found out that the health authorities were getting involved. Only very late was the suspicion of a cholera outbreak reported.

A Dutch family also expressed their frustration to Algemeen Dagblad:

Cholera is caused by a bacterium that produces poison in the intestines. It is mainly spread through contaminated drinking water and contaminated food. Many infections have no symptoms, but in severe cases the severe fluid and salt loss can lead to circulatory collapse, muscle cramps and even shock and death within hours.

Southern Africa has been struggling with one of the worst cholera outbreaks in years for months. By mid-January, approximately 200,000 cases of illness and more than 3,000 deaths had been reported in the thirteen affected countries. Mauritius was on high alert when cases occurred in the Comoros. (dabbing/sawing/sda/dpa)