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CASTRIES, Saint Lucia: A cruise ship belonging to the Church of Scientology, which was quarantined in St. Lucia for two days due to a case of measles, left the island. Caribbean island and headed Friday to Curaçao, have announced location services.
The Freewinds left Castries, the capital of the port on Thursday at 23:15 (3:15 GMT) and were heading for Willemstad in Curacao, a distance previously traveled in two days, according to myshiptracking.com and cruisin.me.
A spokeswoman for the Saint Lucia Department of Health confirmed that the ship had left the island. The Church of Scientology says the 134-meter vessel is used for religious retreats and is normally based in Curacao.
The ship had arrived in St. Lucia from Curacao Tuesday, when it was quarantined by health authorities because of a patient with measles – a woman member of the crew, according to Merlene Fredericks-James, Chief Medical Officer of St Lucia.
The reoccurrence of a highly contagious disease, once eradicated, is linked to the growing movement of anti-vaccines in the richer countries, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has identified as a major threat to global health.
About 300 people were on board the vessel, according to Saint Lucia authorities, who reportedly provided 100 doses of free measles vaccine.
The church, founded by sci-fi writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1953, did not respond to requests for comment.
His teachings are not directly opposed to vaccination, but adherents view the disease as a sign of personal failure and generally avoid medical interventions.
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