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

Vessels arriving from a country affected by the Ebola virus are forbidden to enter ports

The UK P&I Club has issued update on Ebola virus in West Africa including developments that concern the shipping community.

The Club’s Local Correspondents report that presently all ports in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia remain open and are operating normally.

In Nigeria, however, it is reported that the Nigerian Port Health Authority have issued instructions to ban any ships entering any Nigerian port which have previously called at Guinea, Gabon, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

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If not arriving from an Ebola affected area, the ship should be able to enter the port as normal.

The Abidjan Port Authority has also reportedly issued notice advising that with effect from 12^th August, all vessels arriving from a country affected by the Ebola virus are forbidden to enter the port.

Any ill person on board must be reported to the authorities and vessels may be subject to a 21 day quarantine period if there are concerns.

Local advice for ships calling at ports in the affected countries

Guinea – All ports are functioning normally and the local authorities have not introduced anyspecial clearances for ships entering the port [correct at the time of publication]

Liberia – It is now mandatory for any persons entering port areas to wear protective masksand gloves and to carry hand sanitizer. All ports are functioning normally and the localauthorities have not introduced any special clearances for ships entering the port [correct atthe time of publication].

Sierra Leone – Freetown port is functioning normally and the local authorities have notintroduced any special clearances for ships entering the port [correct at the time of publication]

Senegal – All vessels planning to enter Senegal from a country in which Ebola is prevalent,must make a declaration to the local authorities 24 hours before the ship’s arrival.

General advice

It is recommended that ship owners cancel all non-essential crew shore leave.
Owners should avoid crew changes through any of the affected countries.
If a crew member requires medical attention, other than for Ebola, it should be consideredwhether it is safe for them to remain on the ship until the next port of call and to seek medicalattention there.
Seafarers should refrain from eating or drinking any local produce, especially bush meat

Learn more information about Ebola Outbreak by reading the UK P&I Club Briefing

Also read FAQs on Ebola virus disease and Travel & Transport Risk Assessment: Reccomendation for public health authorities and transport sector issued by World Health Organization

Links to helpful websites

The World Health Organisation; Ebola – frequently asked questions

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/faq-ebola/en/

The World Health Organisation; Ebola – advice for travellers;

http://www.who.int/ith/updates/20140421/en/

The World Health Organisation; Regional Office for Africa;

www.Afro.who.int

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);

http://www.cdc.gov

Also read relevant SAFETY4SEA articles on Ebola virus below