See also:
– CDC Influenza A(H1N1) Guidance for Flight Crews
– OWWA issues Influenza A(H1N1) guidance
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The following material, excerpted from the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Interim Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Guidance for Cruise Ships, may serve as a useful secondary reference by OFWs deployed on cruise ships.
Full text of the CDC guidance:
Interim Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Guidance for Cruise Ships
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Management of Passengers or Crew Members with Symptoms of Influenza
If a passenger is displaying signs and symptoms of an influenza-like illness (ILI) prior to the cruise, they should not board the ship.
Crew members should display signs and symptoms of ILI before boarding or during a voyage, and passengers who develop ILI en route, should be medically evaluated and asked to stay in their cabin quarters for the duration of the illness, except to seek medical care or for other necessities.
Ill people should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste receptacle after use.
If tolerated and if facemasks are available, they should protect others by wearing a facemask to reduce the number of droplets coughed or sneezed into the air. If a facemask can not be tolerated, they should use a tissue to cover their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing when they are near other people.
Hands should be washed after contact with respiratory secretions or contaminated objects or materials.
Cruise ship personnel should be aware of the possible symptoms of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting. Visit CDC’s novel H1N1 flu website.
Minimize the number of personnel directly exposed to the ill person.
Separate the ill person from others as much as possible (at least 6 feet).
Move the sick person to an isolated area such as their cabin quarters. They should remain in their cabins for the duration of their illness except to seek medical care or for other necessities.
Consider isolating the sick person with a family member or companion if necessary for control, comfort, or compliance. The companion should take appropriate precautions to protect themselves.
When the ill person must be in a common area or is within about 6 feet of another person, have the ill person wear a facemask, if it can be tolerated, to reduce the number of droplets coughed or sneezed into the air.
Facemasks should not be reused.
If a facemask can not be tolerated, provide tissues and ask the ill person to cover his or her mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm water before tending to the sick person and after handling garbage, touching commonly touched surfaces, contacting respiratory secretions or tending to the sick person.
Wash hands before removing a facemask or respirator and after removing gloves and a facemask or respirator.
Use waterless, alcohol-based hand gels when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.
Personnel tending to the ill person or contacting potentially infectious materials should use impermeable, disposable gloves. Gloves are not intended to replace proper hand hygiene. Gloves should be carefully removed and discarded and hands should be cleaned immediately after activities involving contact with body fluids. Gloves should not be washed or reused.
Personnel who cannot avoid having close contact with an ill person may choose to wear a facemask or N95 respirator on a voluntary basis.
Dispose of soiled material, gloves, items contaminated with body fluids, and disposable respirators in a sturdy plastic bag that should be tied shut and not reopened, and disposed of according to state solid waste regulations.
Ensure that the cruise ship is adequately cleaned and disinfected by personnel wearing appropriate PPE.
Management of Crew Following Exposure
Crew members who may have been exposed to a passenger or coworker suspected of having novel H1N1 influenza should monitor their health for 7 days after the exposure and notify their supervisor. If they become ill with ILI, they should immediately take the following steps:
– Notify their supervisor
– Report to the shipboard dispensary
– Crew members should not work for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they are symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.
– If the crew member is taken to a health care facility off the ship, inform the facility before visiting about the possible exposure to novel H1N1 influenza.
– Limit contact with others as much as possible. When not alone or when in a public place, protect others by wearing a facemask to reduce the number of droplets coughed or sneezed into the air.
– For ill persons or those exposed to someone with novel H1N1 influenza, clinicians may decide to prescribe influenza antiviral medications.