Posted: February 3, 2020

ITF: International Maritime Health Association advisory on novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)


The following is excerpted from a letter and an advisory that have been circulated by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), with which American Maritime Officers is affiliated. The complete International Maritime Health Association advisory is available on the AMO Currents website.

You will be aware that in the last few days the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. The virus originated in Wuhan City, China, a major domestic and international transport hub.

The ITF has now called on all governments and transport companies to implement measures available to them to limit the risk of transmission of the deadly coronavirus to transport workers globally. This is particularly important for seafarers who are the front line of the outbreak.

The first case of a seafarer falling victim to the coronavirus has just been detected by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, which is conducting health screenings at all sea checkpoints. The seafarer had travelled from Wuhan and he is now being treated at the Singapore National Center for Infectious Diseases. The WHO has advised governments to prepare for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation, case management, contact tracing and prevention of the onward spread of the infection. More information is available on the WHO website.

For shipping companies and port operators, they must provide workers with the latest information regarding the outbreak, follow best practices in regard to health and safety protocols and supply of personal protective equipment, put into effect procedures to identify symptomatic travelers, crew and/or workers, and set clear guidelines for workers managing suspected cases of infection. For cruise ships or passenger ferries, this could mean managing a passenger who may be thought to have the coronavirus.

The International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) has produced specific advice for shipping companies and seafarers. Please note that the advice states that shore side visits for seafarers should not be unnecessarily restricted in countries that are not in the affected areas, nor should visits to the ship.

The situation is evolving rapidly, and so please be assured that we are in regular contact with industry partners so that if necessary we can quickly react to any developments.

IMHA: Reducing the Risk of Infection from 2019 New Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

Information to shipping companies (26.1.2020)

A new type of Coronavirus was detected since December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. All cases in Wuhan were connected to the "Huanan Seafood Market". The source of infection is unclear. Human-to-human transmission is possible.

Signs and symptoms of 2019-nCoV sickness:

  • Fever
  • Acute respiratory symptoms (cough, breathing problems, pneumonia)
  • Average time from infection to disease: 7 days
  • Infection from humans- to-humans may occur during incubation period (before person shows signs of sickness)

Cases have been exported from Wuhan to other Chinese provinces and to Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, USA, France and Australia. Further global spread to other countries is possible.

The Chinese authorities have installed TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS in the affected areas in China. Health measures, such as fever measurements, are installed at Chinese airports, bus and train stations, and at ports.

How to protect yourself from getting infected with 2019-nCoV:

  • Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water;
  • When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands;
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough;
  • If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider;
  • When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;
  • The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Specific advice to shipping crew and companies (as of January 26, 2020):

  • Do not restrict embarkation/disembarkation of seafarers in non-affected ports
  • Do not restrict necessary ship visits by port agents, chaplains, service personnel and others
  • Do not visit Food Markets in China; avoid provision of fish and poultry in China
  • Do not consume raw eggs, milk, meat
  • For galley: Observe strict food hygiene to avoid cross contamination
  • Store facial protection for all crew (5 pieces /per person)
  • Provide influenza vaccination, alcohol based hand rub and facial protection to ship inspector and other company employees who travel to China
  • If a person on board falls sick AND has been traveling to affected areas 2-12 days before embarkation, the person must stay in his cabin. Consult a Medical Doctor in the next port
  • If a sick person is on board of the ship, fill the Maritime declaration of health and notify port authority
  • Further information: https://www.who.int