A quarantined Scientology vessel in St. Lucia now quarantined in Curacao

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The Hague (AFP) – The Dutch territory of Curacao announced Saturday that it would do what is necessary to prevent measles from spreading from a Scientology cruise ship, after a member of the crew have fallen with the disease.

The Freewinds, who left the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia on Friday, returned home Saturday at its home port of Curacao around 9:00 am (1 pm GMT), according to myshiptracking.com.

The Curaçao government said in a statement that it would take "all necessary precautions to treat the case of measles aboard the Freewinds", including vaccinations.

"An investigation will also be conducted to determine who will be allowed to leave the vessel without posing a threat to the people of Curacao," the paper said.

"It is imperative that every effort be made to prevent the spread of this disease internationally."

The Dutch broadcaster NOS reported that three health officials had boarded the boat to examine the passengers. Only people who could prove that they had been vaccinated against measles or had already contracted the disease could leave the boat, said his correspondent.

– Anti-vaccine movement –

The Church of Scientology has stated that this 134-meter vessel is used for religious retreats and is normally based in Curacao.

The boat had arrived in St. Lucia from Curacao Tuesday, after being quarantined by the city's health authorities because of a measles patient, who would be a member of the crew.

According to NOS, the crew member concerned is a Danish national who arrived in Curaçao on 17 April from Amsterdam. It was only when the boat was at sea, on the road to St. Lucia, that a doctor discovered that she was suffering from measles, said their correspondent. .

The reappearance of the highly contagious disease, once eradicated, is linked to the growing movement of anti-vaccines in the richest countries, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified as a major threat to global health.

The Curaçao authorities nevertheless urged the local population not to panic because the risk of spread of the disease in this case was relatively low.

However, several people visited the cruise ship between April 22nd and 28th before she left for Saint Lucia and the authorities asked them to make themselves known to the health authorities.

Officials said the Freewinds had shuttled between Curacao, St Lucia and another Dutch-controlled island, Aruba, several times in late April.

About 300 people were on board the vessel, according to Saint Lucia authorities, who reportedly quarantined the vessel. They reported providing 100 doses of free measles vaccine.

The Church of Scientology, founded by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1953, did not respond to requests for comment.

His teachings do not directly contrast with vaccination, but adherents view the disease as a sign of personal failure and usually avoid medical interventions.