Vol 62, No 2 (2011)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Published online: 2011-09-09
Surveillance and control of communicable diseases related to passenger ships in Europe
IMH 2011;62(2):138-147.
Abstract
This study was conducted within the European SHIPSAN (ship sanitation) project and aims at
exploring the legislative framework and current practices related to surveillance of communicable
diseases and response aboard passenger ships in Europe. A detailed questionnaire was
disseminated and completed by 59 competent authorities in 27 European countries. The
majority of competent authorities used national legislation without special provisions for passenger
ships. Only 20% had specific provisions for ships regarding quarantine, while a smaller
proportion of new Member States (MS) have specific legislation in comparison with old MS
(p = 0.01). The Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) was the main reporting tool used. About
30.5% of the competent authorities declared that they require submission of MDH by all arriving
ships, but 28.8% only from affected areas, and 11.9% never require MDH. A total of 45
outbreaks or incidents (36 gastrointestinal, 1 incident of legionellosis, 3 respiratory, and
1 influenza-like illness outbreak, occupational tuberculosis, varicella, scabies, and meningitis) were reported to EU competent authorities during 2006. About 75% of the responders stated
that there are gaps in the surveillance and control of communicable diseases. A diversity of
approaches in EU countries, and gaps regarding surveillance and response and training needs
of personnel were identified.
(Int Marit Health 2011; 62, 2: 138–147)
(Int Marit Health 2011; 62, 2: 138–147)
Keywords: surveillancepassenger shipcommunicable diseasesport healthoutbreakEurope
![](https://journals.viamedica.pl/plugins/generic/popups/images/icons/close.png)