AS the Ebola outbreak continues to spread in some West African countries several countries in Europe have introduced measures at their ports to prevent the virus spreading to the continent.
In Spain all vessels must submit their Health Maritime Declaration prior to arrival at Spanish ports.
Health Authorities will take all necessary precautions, including inspections and shore leave prohibition, for vessels arriving from Guinea Konacry, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria) or that have visited any of these countries affected by the virus recently.
Masters are required to report any illness symptoms amongst his crew. Any ill crew member must complete a form indicating the last countries he has visited, GAC Hot Port News reported.
Authorities in the Netherlands have ordered that vessels complete and deliver the Maritime Declaration of Health. Measures taken on board should also be noted on the ship sanitation control certificate.
In case of a suspected case of the Ebola virus onboard a ship, immediate expert medical opinion should be sought and the event must be reported as soon as possible to the next port of call.
Depending on the situation, the competent authority may need to arrange medical evacuation or special arrangements for disembarkation and hospitalization of the patient and laboratory diagnosis.
Passengers, crew members and cleaning staff who have been identified through contact tracing should be assessed for their specific level of exposure. If a crew member is feverish his temperature is to be monitored. For those considered to be at higher risk their temperature is to be taken twice daily for 21 days.
Port authorities cannot advise the delays but crew will be medically checked and the ship will be disinfected. While waiting for the outcome of the medical check all crew will stay in quarantine in hospital.
In France, authorities at the port of Le Havre have ordered that the Maritime Health Declaration must be sent to the agent before the ship's arrival. For vessels that have touched a port from West Africa in the past 30 days, waste has to be landed and incinerated via a specialized local waste collector.
If a suspected Ebola case is reported, any actions will be taken by port authorities on a case-by-case basis (to quarantine).
Rouen port authorities will only request a Maritime Declaration of Health from vessels coming from ports in West Africa. At this stage, port authorities have not declared any other restrictions.
At the port of Brest, the Health Maritime Declaration will systematically be requested by the harbour master from vessels arriving from ports from West Africa in addition to usual pre-arrival requirements prior to entrance in port, namely the crew list and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
No special restrictions have been imposed at the port of Dunkirk. The harbour master will take a special care of Free-Pratique request before arrival in port, for vessels arriving from West Africa.
At the ports of Montoir/Donges/St Nazaire vessels must complete and submit the Maritime Declaration of Health and the last ten ports of call document 48 hours before arrival on roads.
If the Maritime Declaration of Health is OK and the master has nothing to report, the vessel will automatically be authorized to enter the port.
If, however, the master declares a health problem onboard, a special procedure will apply and the vessel will not be authorized to immediately enter the post. Ports authorities, the French army and medical shipping departments will diagnose the sick individual and a special process will be engaged.
In the UK the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is monitoring vessels that have visited ports in countries where the Ebola virus is present which intend to transit through UK waters or stop at UK ports.
Every vessel of interest will be contacted by the coastguard, as it enters UK Automatic Identification System (AIS) coverage to determine the vessel's health status.
If a radio medical advice is sought through the coastguard, or requires a search and rescue response, or a medical evacuation, HM Coastguard will notify search and rescue units before a response can be undertaken so that they can prepare for and manage the situation more cautiously if required.
In case of a suspected case of Ebola, the vessel will be asked to divert to the nearest suitable port where the casualty can be taken off the ship by land-based medical services in a controlled manner.
Ebola outbreak precautions are also being taking at Salalah port in Oman. Agents of all vessels calling at Salalah are required to send to port control and the port facility security officer (PFSO) a list of the last 10 ports of call at least 48 hours prior to declared estimated time arrival (ETA) of the vessel.
If the last 10 ports of call include ports in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal, port control, PFSO and health authorities must be specifically informed.
PORTS
15 October 2014 - 20:35
Europe introduces measures at ports to prevent spread of Ebola
AS the Ebola outbreak continues to spread in some West African countries several countries in Europe have introduced measures at their ports to prevent the virus spreading to the continent.
PORTS
15 October 2014 - 20:35
Europe introduces measures at ports to prevent spread of Ebola
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