SECTOR COMMANDER
U.S. COAST GUARD
SECTOR DELAWARE BAY
1 WASHINGTON AVE
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19147
TEL: (215) 271-4800
FAX: (215) 271-4833

MARINE SAFETY INFORMATION BULLETIN

[MSIB # 34-14]
August 11, 2014
Ebola Virus Precautions


To date, there have been 1603 confirmed cases of individuals infected with the Ebola virus worldwide with 887 deaths. The epidemic is slowing in Guinea but continues unabated in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Also, four cases have been reported in Nigeria. There have been two reported cases of Americans serving in health care or missionary work in West Africa but, no reported cases in Department of Defense, Coast Guard, or with U.S. mariners. The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has issued travel warnings. We strongly recommend that personnel traveling to those affected countries review travel alerts issued by the CDC prior to their arrival. Travel alert information can be found at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices

Vessel Masters are required to report any illness or death amongst vessel passengers or crew with connection to a communicable disease. This report is required to the CDC within 15 days prior to expected arrival as per 42 CFR 71.21. Regional CDC quarantine station points of contact can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/QuarantineStationContactListFull.html

Vessels arriving from the above mentioned countries are at an elevated risk for contracting the Ebola Virus.

In the interest of port safety, the Coast Guard reviews all Notice of Arrivals to determine if a vessel has visited a country impacted by Ebola virus outbreak within its last five ports of call.

In lieu of contacting the CDC in Philadelphia, vessel Master’s or their designated representatives, may contact Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay who will in turn contact the CDC.

Vessel agents (or other representatives) are requested to contact Masters of vessels that have visited the above mentioned countries prior to the vessel entering port to inquire if there have been any reports of death or illness that may be in connection to the Ebola Virus.

Additionally, Sector Delaware Bay will be contacting vessels (either directly or through the vessel agent or representative) who indicate an Ebola Virus affected country in their last five ports of call to ask a series of question detailed in the enclosure




K. MOORE
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port
 
Enclosure to Marine Safety Information Bulletin #34-14
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay



Symptoms of Ebola Virus typically include: Some patients may experience:


• Fever

• Headache

• Joint and muscle aches

• Weakness

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Stomach pain

• Lack of appetite


• A Rash

• Red Eyes

• Hiccups

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Chest pain

• Difficulty breathing

• Difficulty swallowing

• Bleeding inside and outside of the body

• Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus though 8-10 days is most common.

• Some who become sick with Ebola HF are able to recover, while others do not. The reasons behind this are not yet fully understood. However, it is known that patients who die usually have not developed a significant immune response to the virus at the time of death.

The Captain of the Port Delaware Bay would like to know if any person aboard the vessel is experiencing any symptoms of the Ebola Virus. Specific questions are listed below:

1. Is anyone presenting any of these symptoms?

2. When did the symptoms start?

3. Has medical treatment been administered?

4. Have they been around anyone else who has been ill?

5. What is the number of persons presenting symptoms?

6. Are there any persons planning on embarking or disembarking while in the U. S.?

7. Has any shore side medical attention been arranged for any ill persons?