Tag: WHO

Steps to put on and remove PPE Image Credit: WHOThe World Health Organisation (WHO) has produced guides including steps to put on and remove Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for vessels calling in West Africa's Ebola affected countries.Ship managers of vessels calling at ports in the high risk counties are advised to ensure that extrashipboard measures are implemented as follows:All non-essential crew shore leave should be avoided.Crew changes through any of the affected countries should be avoided.Number of visitors at these ports must be limited to the minimum possible. If a crew member requires medical attention, other than for Ebola, it should be considered whetherit is safe for them to remain on the ship until the next port of call and to seek medical attentionthere.Seafarers should refrain from eating or drinking any local produce, especially bush meatExtra precautions regarding good personal hygiene should be exercised on boardTraining should be provided to crew regarding EVD, symptoms and transition, preventive measuresand handling of PPE equipment.Extra security precautions should be implemented during period in port. MARSEC LEVEL 2 or moreto be implemented in Ports in Countries where EVD incidents have occurredAn Ebola Contingency Plan should be developed in order to set up procedures on ...

IMO infographic Download the "what you need to know"infographic here.​​On 8 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).​The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has joined the international ad hoc Ebola Travel and Transport Task Force and is working with other United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations to monitor the situation and provide timely information in response to the outbreak of the disease.WHO IHR Emergency Committee meeting (22 September)WHO statement on the second meeting of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee regarding the 2014 Ebola outbreak in west Africa​ (22 September 2014)The Committee, whilst recognising and appreciating the efforts made by affected states, identified a number of areas where more action and attention is urgently needed. In particular, the Committee noted:Flight cancellations and other travel restrictions continue to isolate affected countries resulting in detrimental economic consequences, and hinder relief and response efforts risking further international spread; the Committee strongly reiterated that there should be no general ban on international travel or trade, except for the restrictions outlined in the previous recommendations regarding the travel of EVD cases ...

WHO officially declares that Nigeria reached that 42-day mark and is now considered free of Ebola transmission.

What does the current Ebola outbreak mean for ships calling at ports in West Africa? The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has been declared an international health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The current epidemic is centred in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone but there have been individual cases in Nigeria and Senegal as well.Up to 8 October, 4,033 people had been reported as having died from the disease in five countries; Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and the United States. The total number of reported cases is in excess of 8,300. WHO admits the figures are underestimates and warns there could be as many as 20,000 cases by November if efforts to tackle the outbreak are not stepped up.A Spanish auxiliary nurse has become the first person in the current outbreak to have contracted the virus outside of Africa after treating two victims of Ebola in Madrid.Ebola deaths in Africa (Up to 8 October 2014)2,316 Liberia778 Guinea930 Sierra Leone8 Nigeria 4,032 deaths- probable, confirmed and suspected (Does not include on death in US)Ebola Oubreak Response: Regional Confirmed and Probable Cases Map Update 3 October 2014Image Credit: WHO - Please click for larger viewImplications for ships calling at ...

Study warns swift action needed to curb exponential climb in Ebola outbreak

IMO issues Circular Letter No.3484 regarding Ebola risks and precautionary measures Geographic distribution of Ebola virus disease in humans and animals - August 2014, Image Credit: World Health OrganizationThe International Maritime Organization (IMO) issued Circular Letter No.3484 regardingEbola virus disease to provide information and guidance, based on recommendations developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), on the precautions to be taken to minimize risks to seafarers, passengers and others on board ships from the Ebola virus disease (EVD).The current EVD outbreak is believed to have begun in Guinea in December 2013. This outbreak now involves community transmission in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and recently an ill traveller from Liberia infected a small number of people in Nigeria with whom he had direct contact.On 8 August 2014, WHO declared the EVD outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005).SymptomsSymptoms of EVD include fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, and in some cases, bleeding. It is important to note that a person who is infected is only able to spread the virus to others after the infected person has started ...

WHO responds to Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa

UK P&I Club issues update on Ebola virus in West Africa

Recommendations for ships re the current outbreak of the Ebola Virus

The French Ministry of Health has recently published an alert about the continued risk of the mosquito born chikungunya virus, with respect to outbreaks in the French West Indies and French Guyana.This virus is transmitted by mosquito bites and at present there is no vaccine or cure.