After malaria cases on ships bound for Port of Santos, understand how sanitary protocols work

The malaria cases recorded earlier this month involving two crew members from different ships (Genco Picardi and Common Galaxy), both flagged under the same country (Marshall Islands, Oceania), have drawn attention to how procedures work in such cases, managed by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The vessels were anchored at Barra de Santos while the crew members were disembarked and hospitalized in the city.

In a statement, Anvisa explains that ships carrying passengers or cargo are subject to sanitary surveillance. “Inspections may be conducted remotely or in person, considering a range of criteria such as the vessel’s origin (foreign or national transit), sanitary conditions, disease reports onboard, the nature of the identified disease and the epidemiological context onboard and in the national and international scenarios”, Anvisa details.

Depending on the assessment, the ship may dock and operate, dock without operations or remain at the anchorage area in case of disease onboard, the health authority notes.

In the case of a confirmed disease, Anvisa states that the medical team hired by the maritime agency for the vessel’s care may follow different procedures. These include either disembarking the patient for shore-based treatment — at public or private healthcare facilities — or maintaining care onboard.

If the ship's epidemiological and sanitary conditions are satisfactory and no health measures are required onboard, the vessel may continue its voyage, Anvisa reminds.

“Monitoring the patient on land is subject to the traveler’s contractual agreement. In cases of diseases of public health interest, municipal and state epidemiological surveillance are notified and follow up on the case according to their protocols”, Anvisa concludes.

Authorizations

Port Authority of Santos (APS) explains that for a ship to dock at the Port, it needs authorization from six agencies: Capitania dos Portos, responsible for national and navigation safety; Receita Federal, for economic inspection of goods; Polícia Federal, which handles public safety and immigration; Anvisa, responsible for public health; Vigiagro (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock), responsible for plant and animal carg o— whether processed or not; and finally, APS, which, after all previous approvals, verifies if the docking point is available and safe for the ship’s arrival.

Third malaria case recorded

A new case of malaria has been detected in a crew member aboard the Common Galaxy, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier that arrived from Côte d'Ivoire. According to Anvisa's report, the patient is being treated onboard the vessel, which remains at the Porto de Santos anchorage area.

This is the third case this month and the second on the same vessel. On July 7, another crew member of the Common Galaxy was diagnosed with malaria, needed to be removed from the ship and was admitted to a hospital.

Previously, on July 4, a crew member of the Genco Picardy, also flagged under the Marshall Islands, but coming from Nigeria, was diagnosed with malaria and had to be admitted to the Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa, in Santos. According to the physician who treated the crew member, the man was debilitated and exhibited various symptoms.

Anvisa reported that the disinfestation and testing of all members of the two vessels have been completed. The current condition of the hospitalized crew members was not disclosed.

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite of the genus Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an Anopheles mosquito.