In a bid to address a suspected cholera outbreak aboard the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship, over 3,000 individuals were left stranded near Mauritius. However, relief is on the horizon as Mauritius grants permission for the vessel to dock in Port Louis after thorough checks for cholera yield negative results.
On Monday, the East African island nation of Mauritius gave the green light for Norwegian Dawn to dock, marking the end of an involuntary stopover caused by health concerns. The ship, en route from South Africa via Madagascar and La Réunion, was initially barred from docking in Mauritius due to suspected cholera cases.
With a passenger and crew count exceeding 3,000, more than 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew members endured the uncertainty of the situation. Following instances of gastrointestinal illnesses on board, Mauritian authorities initially refused port entry on Sunday, leading the vessel to redirect from Reunion to Mauritius.
Norwegian Cruise Line reported that a few guests on Norwegian Dawn exhibited mild stomach illness symptoms during the 12-day voyage. Health authorities in Mauritius disclosed that around 14 passengers and a crew member experienced diarrhea and vomiting, prompting their isolation for further observation. Samples were collected from approximately 15 individuals on Sunday to investigate the situation.
The Norwegian Dawn, constructed in 2002 at Meyer shipyard in Germany, boasts a capacity of up to 2,340 guests and 1,032 crew members. While most of the 2,184 passengers were scheduled to depart on Sunday, an additional 2,279 individuals were set to embark in Port Louis. The ship currently hosts 1,026 crew members, contributing to the complexity of managing potential health risks.
Given the ongoing cholera outbreak in Southern Africa, with over 200,000 reported cases and 3,000 fatalities across 13 affected nations, Mauritius stands vigilant due to incidents in nearby Comoros. As the situation evolves, health officials remain on high alert to prevent the spread of the disease and ensure the well-being of all individuals involved.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
By: [Your Name], Media Talk Africa
