Tag: Zika virus

There is a series of mosquito borne and transferred diseases on board vessels. Examples of such diseases are malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, Zika Virus, viral encephalitis.  If not properly controlled, such vectors could breed on ship and could certainly be carried by ship. Infection with above diseases during voyage represents a serious risk to seafarers’ health and life.

Gard P&I Club issued an article, providing some precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk to seafarers from mosquitos, when visiting affected areas. Gard notes that they must not lower their guard, when there is a risk of exposure to a mosquito-borne disease, despite the WHO’s declaration that Zika no longer constitutes an international emergency.

Singapore is now considered as a Zika epidemic area following the first locally transmitted case of Zika Virus in Singapore on 27 August 2016. Therefore, some ports may require ships arriving from Singapore to provide evidence of mosquito eradication measures that have been carried out.

The London P&I Club has published follow-up advice on Requirement of MEC for vessels from ZIKA Affected Areas from Chinese Quarantine Authority.

The Skuld P&I Club has announced that as from September 2016 Singapore is considered a Zika epidemic area and this may affect a vessel's entry into China.

KVH Industries has announced that it is offering Videotel’s new safety and training video about the Zika virus free to all mariners worldwide. The goal of the program is to increase awareness of the vitally important prevention measures that can keep seafarers and their colleagues and families safe.

America's Navy Medicine has released updated Zika Virus Infection guidance in NAVADMIN 121/16,communicating current information, travel precautions, and risk reduction measures to Navy and Marine Corps personnel.

The US Department of Defense announced that it is providing $1.76 million in additional funding to military laboratories to expand Zika virus surveillance worldwide and assess the virus’ impact on deployed service members’ health and readiness.

IMCA has issued its latest Safety Flash with a focus on mosquito-borne diseases due to a recent fatality from malaria. The incident occurred offshore Ghana. A non-immune foreign national contractor presented himself to the offshore medic with flu-like symptoms. He tested negative for malaria twice via rapid diagnostic testing. He was sent ashore for further evaluation and subsequently died as a result of complications arising from malaria.