Brazil P&I our correspondents in Santos, Brazil, has provided us with the following information.
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Following a meeting this week with the Brazilian Health Authorities – ANVISA, please find below, their general guidelines regarding the Ebola virus.
This is the first report ANVISA has issued and it shall be followed by further updates on the future procedures and recommendations to be adopted in the port of Rio de Janeiro.
Similar procedures shall be adopted in Brazilian ports.
BASIC PROCEDURES TO BE TAKEN FOR VESSELS EXPECTED TO DOCK IN RIO DE JANEIRO TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY IN PUBLIC HEALTH – EBOLA VIRUS.
Report of embarking or disembarking of crew members or passengers in the last thirty (30) days, with transit in the area of circulation of the Ebola virus.
PROCEDURES TO BE TAKEN IN VESSELS WITH CALLS OR ORIGINATING IN AREAS OF CIRCULATION OF THE EBOLA VIRUS.
1. Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) should be presented within twelve (12) hours prior to the vessel’s arrival.
1.1 In case of change in health status on board (travelers with symptoms) the Declaration should be replaced immediately, so that the Health Authority can assess the situation on board, prior to entry of the vessel in the port area;
1.2 The MDH should be signed, stamped and dated only by the Master of the Vessel;
2. Copies of medical attendances recorded in the log book for the past thirty (30) days;
3. List of calls of the vessel in the last 30 (thirty) days before the entry of the vessel at the Port of Rio de Janeiro;
4. List of passengers and crew members on board;
5. Report embarkation or disembarkation of crew members or passengers of the vessel when in transit to the Port of Rio de Janeiro;
Note: In case of lack of information or of available information that does not allow a conclusive assessment of the health status on the vessel, one should refer to the Free Practice on board in the area of sanitary anchoring.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN ON VESSELS IN THE EVENT OF THE CREW MEMBERS OR PASSENGERS PRESENTING SYMPTOMS COMPATIBLE WITH EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE.
1. Report signed, dated and stamped, by the master of vessel containing the following information:
1.1. identification of patient (name, nationality, age and place of boarding);
1.2. location of the patient on vessel (cabin, ward, isolated environment) and if in isolation ward or not;
1.3. what drugs (if any) administered to patient;
1.4. information on the measurement of temperature of crew members and passengers present on board, twice a day;
1.5. identification (list) of prior contacts before he/she presenting symptoms;
1.6. identification (list) of anyone involved in patient care;
1.7. identification (list) of crew members involved in cleaning of the cabin and isolation ward;
1.8. identification (list) of products used in the sanitation of isolation ward or areas where he/she circulated, and description of the methodology employed in the application of the products;
1.9. information on solid waste management in the isolation ward or areas where he/she circulated;
1.10. list of personal protective equipment in use in the isolation ward and cleaning and disinfection of surfaces;
1.11. information about procedures used with handling of linen, cloths, eating utensils, laundry and any other item in contact with patient;
1.12. information about the functionality of the effluent treatment station of wastewater used in the vessel;
1.13. information about the climate control equipment in use;
1.14. information on pest and rodent control;
1.15. information on board of procedures in the event of death of crew members or passengers;
1.16. information on the location of the corpse on board.
Recommendation to the Master
In case any crew member or passenger presenting symptoms compatible with Ebola virus disease and who has circulated, in the last 30 days, in an Ebola endemic area, notify the situation immediately to the Brazilian health authorities and isolate the crew member or passenger in his cabin, offering water and food. Only one crew member should be assigned (physician or other person) to communicate and serve him until his removal or release as instructed by health teams on the ground. Follow the recommendations of the local health authority relating to cleaning, waste removal, etc.
ISSUE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF HEALTH CONTROL RELATED TO VESSELS ORIGINATING FROM AREAS OF CIRCULATION OF THE EBOLA VIRUS OR WITH CREW MEMBERS OR PASSENGERS THAT WERE IN THE AREAS OF CIRCULATION OF THE EBOLA VIRUS.
In case there is no suspicion of crew members or passengers contaminated by the Ebola virus maintain the usual routine.
In cases of suspicion of crew members or passengers contaminated by the Ebola virus, the issuing of the health control certificate shall be suspended or postponed until the date of quarantine of the vessel.
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