[ad_1]
A quarantined cruise ship for a reported case of measles left the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia after the health authorities provided it with 100 doses of vaccine, according to reports.
The cruise ship Church of Scientology was confined to port this week by the island's health officials after the detection of the highly contagious disease on board.
CNN said the vessel had departed St. Lucia and online data on maritime traffic showed that the vessel was en route and heading to the island of Curaçao.
A case of measles has been confirmed on the boat moored in the harbor near Castries since Tuesday, said Dr. Merlene Frederick-James, chief physician of St Lucia, in a video statement.
"The confirmed case and other crew members are currently stable, but remain under the supervision of the ship's doctor," she said, noting that the incubation period for measles was 10 to 12 days before the onset of symptoms.
The number of measles cases in the United States has peaked in 25 years with more than 700 people diagnosed this week, which is part of an international resurgence of the disease.
NBC News, quoting a Coast Guard Sergeant from St. Lucia, reported that the ship was calling Freewinds, named after a 300-meter-long ship owned and operated by Scientology.
According to Reuters Eikon shipping data, a Panamanian flagged cruise ship, identified as the SMV Freewinds, had been moored at the port near Castries on Thursday. It was at sea and is expected to arrive in Curacao on Saturday.
The Church of Scientology describes the Freewinds on its website as a "floating religious retreat providing the most advanced level of spiritual counseling in the religion of Scientology".
Church officials did not respond to requests for comment.
NBC News reported that nearly 300 passengers and crew members were aboard the ship, a woman member of the crew who was diagnosed with measles.
Public health officials blame lower vaccination rates in some communities for misinformation about inoculation and claim that these populations have become vulnerable to the rapid spread of infection among people not immunized against the virus.
The vast majority of cases in the United States have occurred in children who have not received measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines, officials said.
[ad_2]
Source link