The world is witnessing a fast developing new virus which originated in China late in 2019. This never before seen virus causes pneumonia-like symptoms and can be life threatening.
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 persons
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.
Currently WHO does not recommend travel restrictions. Follow up what local authorities recommend and
stay up to date on the latest advice from WHO.
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 travelling 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
Source: International Maritime Health Organisation (IMHA)
