A Church of Scientology cruise ship quarantined by the Caribbean nation of St. Lucia for measles is due to arrive on Saturday, May 11, back at its home port on the island of Curacao, where it will face similar restrictions.
Mainly, ‘Freewinds’, the quarantined vessel, was banned from departing passengers in ports when a crew member was diagnosed with measles and who aboard has previously been vaccinated against the highly contagious disease.
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According to Reuters, a team of health officers in Curacao plans to visit the vessel once it returns.
Merlene Frederick-James, the island’s chief medical officer, noted that the St. Lucia Ministry of Health ordered the restriction after conferring with the Pan American Health Organization and others about the risk of exposure to islanders.
Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth, chief epidemiologist for the Curacao Biomedical and Health Research Institute commented
What we don’t want is for the disease to spread further. There is no other way than … by not allowing anyone who may be infected off the ship.
The incubation may last up to 21 days after the exposure, with infected individuals most contagious from four days before the onset of tell-tale measles rash – while the person is experiencing cold-like symptoms – to four days after the rash appears.
It is believed that the ship has 318 passengers onboard along with the crew.
The vessel is owned and operated by the Church of Scientology.
The Church of Scientology website describes the Freewinds as a floating “religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counselling in the Scientology religion.” It says its home port is Curacao.
