The Mpox virus is currently spreading in high-risk areas such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, and South Africa. This virus is an infectious disease that can cause, among other things, a painful rash, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. It spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person. The outbreak of the virus has already had direct consequences for shipping in several countries.
In Uruguay, every crew member arriving at a Uruguayan port from Africa, or who has been in Africa in the past 15 days, must currently be checked by a doctor on board. Crew members with symptoms are not allowed to disembark, and local authorities must be notified immediately if this situation occurs. Recently, in Argentina, a cargo ship was even placed under quarantine after a crew member showed symptoms of the disease.
We advise members operating in the high-risk areas with their vessels to take the following measures:
- Regularly monitor crew members who have been in one of the high-risk countries for symptoms and report any suspected cases to the local health authorities.
- Avoid close contact with people coming from shore.
- Deny access to the ship to individuals showing symptoms.
- Wash hands regularly with water and disinfectant soap, and wash clothing and bedding more frequently.
- Use personal protective equipment (FFP2 masks and gloves) when dealing with potentially infected persons or contaminated materials.
Additionally, we recommend including an appropriate clause in the charter agreement, for which the BIMCO Infectious or Contagious Diseases Clause for voyage and time charter parties is suitable.
For specific questions, our members can always contact us via claims@nnpc.nl.
