title: Surveillance and control of communicable diseases related to passenger ships in Europe.
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.
authors: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece. xhatzi@med.uth.gr
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Hadjichristodoulou
authors: Varvara A
authors: VA
authors: Mouchtouri
authors: Carmen Varela
authors: CV
authors: Martinez
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Nichols
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Riemer
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Rabinina
authors: Corien
authors: C
authors: Swan
authors: Nina
authors: N
authors: Pirnat
authors: Ona
authors: O
authors: Sokolova
authors: Elina
authors: E
authors: Kostara
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Rachiotis
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Meilicke
authors: Clara
authors: C
authors: Schlaich
authors: Christopher Lr
authors: CL
authors: Bartlett
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Kremastinou
authors: The Shipsan
authors: TS
authors: Partnership
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007899:Leisure Activities; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012308:Risk Management; D012499:Sanitation / Q000379:methods; D012767:Ships; D014195:Travel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*