On Sunday, March 9th, 2014, a cargo vessel originating out of Guyana was detained at the southern seaport of Vieux Fort, by Saint Lucia's Ministry of Health.

The detention of the ship followed an investigation by local medical officials, after receiving reports of health issues amongst the crew.

Senior Medical Officer with the Ministery of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George says the situation was serious enough to warrant confining the ship.

"From the initial assessment this led to the hospitalization of one of the crew members who was sick on the vessel and we also initiated an emergency post-mortem on one of the crew members who passed away on the Saturday enroute to Saint Lucia."  

Reports indicate that eight other crew members aboard the ship have also been examined by medical personnel and the necessary steps have been taken to quarantine the situation.

Dr. Belmar-George also revealed the findings of the Ministry's initial assessment of the vessel's crew.

"The preliminary reports we have received so far, indicate that it appears to be a bronchial pneumonia, as a cause of death for the crew member and passenger admitted to the St. Jude's Hospital."

The Senior Medical Officer says the Ministry of Health is continuing its assessment of the other persons aboard the vessel, providing them with health care and all other needs while they remain on the ship in Saint Lucia's waters.

Symptoms of bronchial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Viral bronchopneumonia may initially appear with flu-like symptoms but can progress within a few days. Symptoms include fever, cough thats expels mucus, chest pain, rapid breathing, muscle aches and confusion or delirium especially in older people.