Scientology cruise ship remains under quarantine after measles outbreak

A Church of Scientology cruise ship struck by a measles outbreak will remain anchored in the Caribbean until health experts determine how many of the ship’s 318 passengers are affected.

Officials on the island of Curacao have taken 277 blood samples from crew and passengers and sent them for analysis to the Netherlands.

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Dr Izzy Gerstenbluth told The Associated Press that 277 blood samples have been sent to the Netherlands for analysis.

He said their results are expected today or tomorrow, adding that everyone on the ship cooperated with officials.

Thirty one crew members and 10 passengers provided a vaccination certificate, while the remainder were vaccinated.

The 134-metre Freewinds ship was previously quarantined in St Lucia last month after a crew member was diagnosed with measles.

Last Saturday it returned to its home port of Curacao.

Dr Gerstenbluth said authorities will consult with the Pan American Health Organisation before passengers are released.

According to the Church of Scientology website, the ship is "a religious retreat ministering the most advanced level of spiritual counselling". It says religious conventions and seminars also are held aboard.

More than 700 people in 22 US states this year have been stricken with measles. Federal officials saying the resurgence is driven by misinformation about vaccines