Ebola Protocol 1. Generally the Port Health authority must ‘clear’ a berthed vessel before anyone can board or disembark. This is not necessarily standard procedure in all countries. 2. Under the International Health Regulations the master of a vessel who suspects there may be a sick individual on board must alert port health before arrival. Port health officers are then required to implement their port health plan to deal with any potential risk. 3. Average voyage times for a vessel from Guinea Liberia or Sierra Leone to North West European ports is 13 days, i.e. less than the incubation period for Ebola, therefore there may be an unknown ‘carrier’. 4. Longer voyages will allow time for the presence of an infected person to be known. Voyages between high risk areas and Asian ports e.g. Singapore is 36 days distant from Guinea. 5. The Ebola virus can be spread to other people once they have developed symptoms, such as a fever. Even if someone has symptoms, the virus is transmitted only by direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. 6. In the UK when the Port health authority has been notified of a suspected infection, the authority may be unsure how to react because: a. the risk assessment exercise is not yet complete. b. there is no national plan. c. no guidance has been issued. d. airports, having been prioritised, are absorbing available resources. e. limited controls are in place in larger ports e.g. Southampton is putting together a health plan for dealing with a potential Ebola incident. 7. There is no exit screening taking place at seaports in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In view of the above a basic risk assessment suggests that there is a minimum possibility of exposure of shore based personnel in arrival ports, (at this time). For confirmation of a ship’s ‘health’ status, ship visitors should: 1. Use various web sites such as Marine Traffic to identify previous ports of call in the voyage of an arriving ship. 2. Liaise with Port Health officials to ascertain the ‘clearance’ of a vessel.
3. Liaise with the ships agent concerning any special arrangements for ship visits. 4. Liaise with health authorities concerning national guidelines. For personal health awareness ship visitors are encouraged to: 1. Monitor their temperature if feeling unwell. 2. At the first sign of any feverish symptoms report to a medical doctor. The behaviour of ship visitors ought not to give cause for concern to crew members. Below are a list of useful resources that are relevant to seafarer welfare organisations, seafarers, and other maritime bodies. These resources are correct as of the date of issue though may be updated in the light of new information. International Maritime Organisation information on the ebola virus. The information is aimed at governments, shipping companies, and ports although more information relevant to seafarers is being added. • http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/HotTopics/ebola/Pages/default.aspx
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International Chamber of Shipping information on Ebola. The page is aimed at anyone in the maritime world seeking to update information on the Ebola virus. The page contains a database with actions taken by port states on Ebola http://www.ics-shipping.org/ebola-information
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World Health Organisation information on Ebola. This contains information on individual countries and a fact sheet on Ebola http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en/
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Useful video aimed at business travellers but relevant to seafarers http://vimeo.com/user20751789/review/107013040/5b1f1f933e
KP 24/10/14
TRAVEL TO AND FROM EBOLA-AFFECTED COUNTRIES IS LOW-RISK HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW If you develop a fever and Ebola symptoms yourself promptly inform ship’s master or medical officer.
WHEN ON BOARD fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat; followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding.
Alert master or medical officer about a seafarer, passenger or other person who has Ebola symptoms:
ON SHIPS OR IN PORTS/ TERMINALS
DO NOT touch the body of a person who has died from Ebola.
Use alcohol rub throughout the day. When hands are visibly dirty use soap and water.
Seek prompt medical attention if you have Ebola symptoms. Avoid direct physical contact with anyone who is displaying the symptoms of Ebola.