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31 Jul 2015 / United States, all ports

Ebola threat & the Marine Transportation System

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that on 30 September 2014 the first case of Ebola Virus Disease [EVD] was diagnosed in the United States in a person who had traveled to Dallas, Texas, from West Africa. To date, there have been no recorded EVD cases associated with vessels operating in the U.S. maritime environment. Nonetheless, the EVD case in Dallas, TX reminds us that we must remain always vigilant of the EVD threat. An Ebola Crisis Action Team has been stood up at United States Coast Guard (USCG) Headquarters to conduct a comprehensive review of USCG policy and provide direction across all mission sets and includes active representation from all USCG stakeholders.... ....The EVD situation and the possible introduction of the disease via the maritime vector remains extremely dynamic and additional guidance will be released as necessary. Guidance from the CDC continues to evolve and updates will be available at: www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola. MOST CRITICAL ISSUE: TIMELY REPORTING OF POTENTIAL EVD INCIDENTS IS PARAMOUNT. Any EVD case in the maritime environment will be an incident of national interest. The USCG stresses timely communications with its 24-hour USCG Command Center. The USCG Sector Long Island Sound Command Center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be reached at either: 1-800-774-8724 or (203) 468-4401. Timely notifications enable the USCG to properly respond if necessary or to ensure proper coordination and assistance that other local, state or federal assets might be able to contribute in prosecuting a multi-faceted maritime domain case, such as a suspect EBOLA case on a maritime vessel. Email contact with the Command Center can also be done via: [email protected]. Vessels arriving from the EVD impacted countries are at an elevated risk. Travel alert information can be found at: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices. Vessel Masters/Representatives are required to report any illness or death amongst vessel passengers or crew with connection to a communicable disease. This report is required to the CDC within 15 days prior to expected arrival as per 42 CFR 71.21. Regional CDC quarantine station points of contact can be found at: www.cdc.gov/quarantine/QuarantineStationContactListFull.html. This Long Island Sound COTP zone relies upon Quarantine Station Officer in Charge at JFK airport New York 781-553-1685 / 86 / 87. Each Quarantine Station has responsibility for all ports, seaports, and international airports in an assigned region. The CDC method for maritime death and illness reporting uses fillable PDF forms required to be submitted and entered into www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cargo/reporting-deaths-illness/index.html. Another CDC site includes the detailed reporting requirements www.cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/federal-regulations-reporting-illness-death-shipsdestined-united-states.html. 1) The USCG reviews all Notice of Arrivals to determine if a vessel has visited a country impacted by Ebola virus outbreak within its last five ports of call. 2) In lieu of contacting the CDC, vessel Master's or their designated representatives, may contact USCG Sector Long Island Sound who will in turn contact the CDC. 3) Vessel agents or their designated representatives are requested to contact Masters of vessels that have visited the above mentioned countries prior to the vessel entering port to inquire if there have been any reports of symptoms, death or illness that may be in connection to the Ebola Virus.... ....USCG Sector Long Island Sound will be contacting vessels (either directly or through the vessel agent or representative) who indicate an Ebola Virus affected country in their last five ports of call.... (For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at [email protected]) Source: Extracts from U.S. Coast Guard Long Island Sound Captain of the Port Zone Area Maritime Security Bulletin N0.001-14

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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