RMI Marine Safety Advisory No 35-14
The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued MarineMSA 35-14 to inform about the risk and prevention of malaria .
In the past , RMI Maritime Administrator has received five reports of seafarers serving on board RMI flagged ships who were diagnosed with malaria. These include four reports of seafarers dying from the disease.
In several cases treatment was delayed because it was thought the infected seafarer had the flu. In each case the seafarer who became infected had not been on shore but had remained on board the ship while in ports where the risk of malaria is considered high.
According to information available from the World Health Organization (WHO), malaria is an entirely preventable and treatable mosquito-borne illness. Based on the information available to the Administrator, the seafarers who became infected either did not recognize the potential danger posed in an area in which the ship was trading where malaria was prevalent or they misused anti-malaria medications by not taking them as instructed.
Masters and Designated Persons Ashore (DPAs) should assess the risk of malaria in ports where their ships are calling and ensure sufficient quantities of anti-malaria medications are available on board. Detailed information by country is available from the WHO.
Prior to arriving in a port where the risk of malaria is considered high, Masters and Medical Officers should hold a special safety meeting with the ships crew to:
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| WHO recommendations |
The WHO recommends the use of oral anti-malarial medication (chemoprophylaxis), which is usually to be taken in advance of entering high risk areas. Various anti-malaria drugs are available, the choice of which will depend upon a number of factors, including the geographic location, locally drug resistant strains of malaria and expected period of exposure. It is recommended that medical advice be sought when deciding the type of drug, quantity, combination of medication, dosage and time frame (prior to arrival, during stay and following departure from the malarial region). Risk awareness and forward planning by ship managers and crew is therefore of vital importance to ensure timely implementation of precautions. A log of all anti-malarial drugs administered to and taken by individual crew members should be maintained. Other practical preventative measures include encouraging crew members to dress so as to restrict exposure of bare skin, application of insect repellents and keeping accommodation closed down, particularly between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active. |
Find more information about malaria from the sources below:
WHO –http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention –http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/
