Saint Lucia cruise ship in quarantine following a confirmed case of measles

A cruise ship with nearly 300 passengers and crew members was quarantined in the Caribbean port of St. Lucia after confirmation of a case of measles on board, officials said Wednesday. Island health.

A female member of the crew has a confirmed case and the authorities of St. Lucian said they have worked closely with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Public Health Agency of the United States. Caribbean (CARPHA).

The ship has been quarantined since Monday morning, officials said.

"Measles in a highly contagious disease Anyone not sufficiently immunized against measles can contract the disease if there has been close contact with a confirmed case," according to a statement released Wednesday by Dr. Merlene Fredericks-James, of the island nation chief physician.

"It is therefore likely that other people on the boat could have been exposed."

St. Lucian officials refused to name the vessel involved.

"The ship's doctor confirmed the isolated case on the ship," said Dr. Fredericks-James. "The individual is in a stable state."

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The Pan American Health Organization said it was aware of the measles case on this cruise ship, but declined to comment or reveal additional details.

The once-defeated disease has made a surprising comeback in recent months, with more than 700 cases reported in the United States this year, officials said.

This is the highest number of cases reported in the United States in the last year since 1994. The case was declared eliminated in 2000.

Sanitary authorities in southern California have even asked fans of the hit movie "Avengers: Endgame" to check their ticket stubs.

Indeed, a Californian woman in her twenties, suffering from a confirmed case of measles, went to see the movie about superheroes at the AMC in Fullerton. All those who were at the theater between 11 pm and 5 pm Thursday at 4 am on Friday is invited to make a projection.