Cruise ship quarantined due to measles

A cruise ship has been quarantined in St. Lucia, pictured here, because of a case of measles onboard. Click through the gallery for the cities with the highest rates of vaccine exemptions. A cruise ship has been quarantined in St. Lucia, pictured here, because of a case of measles onboard. Click through the gallery for the cities with the highest rates of vaccine exemptions. Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket Via Getty Images Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 19 Caption Close Cruise ship quarantined due to measles 1 / 19 Back to Gallery

A cruise ship in the Caribbean has been quarantined after a case of measles was confirmed on board, health officials said Wednesday.

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The ship was quarantined off the island of St. Lucia, the nation's chief medical officer, Dr. Merlene Fredericks James, announced Tuesday.

Authorities learned of the case of the measles aboard the ship from "two reputable sources" early Tuesday, and passengers and crew have since been asked to remain on the ship so as not to risk infecting others.

The infected person is reportedly a crew member, but the ship is apparently carrying nearly 300 people altogether.

"We thought it prudent that we quarantine the ship," said Fredericks James.

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She added that residents of St. Lucia should be mindful and aware of the measles threat because of the number of visitors the island receives from the United States. The quarantined ship is scheduled to leave Thursday.

While health officials did not identify the ship, Coast Guard Sgt. Victor Theodore told NBC News it's called the "Freewinds," which is the name of the Church of Scientology-owned cruise ship that operates in the Caribbean. The Scientology-owned Freewinds houses "a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counseling in the Scientology religion."

"The Freewinds is a very special place," the church explains. "It is the one place a Scientologist may go and be certain he will be able to devote himself entirely to his religious practice and in the company of people who share his religious commitment and outlook on life in general."