Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

[Laidback Al]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is restricted to inland DRC in the northwestern portion of the country. No cases have been reported from the eastern seaports in the DRC.

At its average speed, and assuming no layover in Panama, the Marine Phoenix could have traveled from an eastern seaport in DRC to New Orleans in 18-20 days.

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Councilman: Ship illness is malaria

Updated: Sep 17, 2014 9:19 PM CDT
Written by: FOX8Live.com Staff -
NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) -

Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts sent out a tweet Wednesday night saying that initial tests on the sick crew members on board a ship from Africa indicate that they are suffering from malaria.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. People with malaria often experience fever, chills and flu-like illness. It is not contagious.

The Liberian-flagged "Marine Phoenix," a refrigerated cargo vessel, docked in Belle Chasse Wednesday evening, and all on board were hospitalized.
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http://www.fox8live.com/story/265601...-docking-in-no

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Official: CDC said critically ill person has malaria

WWLTV.com 9:38 p.m. CDT September 17, 2014
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Jefferson Parish John Young said federal health officials have informed him that the patient was being treated for malaria, and it is not contagious.

Young said when he asked why the patient was taken to West Jefferson Medical Center, he was told by federal and state health officials that the shipping company has a contract with a doctor who practices at West Jeff.

Three sailors on a Liberian-based Marine Phoenix cargo ship are hospitalized Wednesday evening. Federal and state health officials met the ship late Wednesday, after crew members fell ill...
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The ship, which was destined for New Orleans, was anchored in Belle Chasse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with Coast Guard officials were slated to go on to the ship. It will stay anchored there for the night.
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Employees with Port Ship Service of Belle Chasse confirmed they helped remove crew members from the Marine Phoenix but were asked by their employer not speak to the media. Those same employees were told by health officials that they weren't in any health danger.

http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/loca...ight/15791245/

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Malaria identified as cause of illness on ship docked in New Orleans

By Jonathan Bullington, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on September 17, 2014 at 6:36 PM, updated September 17, 2014 at 9:41 PM

Federal health officials have identified malaria as the cause of an illness that hospitalized at least one crew member aboard a ship docked Wednesday evening in New Orleans.

Jefferson Parish Councilman Chris Roberts said the Centers for Disease Control updated parish officials with the information Wednesday night, as at least one crew member of the Liberian-flagged ship, "Marine Phoenix," tested positive for the potentially fatal mosquito-born disease while at West Jefferson Medical Center.

Two other ship occupants were also at West Jefferson, Roberts said. But he was uncertain whether they tested positive for malaria.
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According to Roberts, the CDC told Jefferson Parish officials that one of the ship's occupants disembarked in the Bahamas and later died from malaria.
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http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf...rew_to_be.html

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Joint Statement from DHH and the CDC Regarding Illness of Cargo Ship Crew Member

Wednesday, September 17, 2014 | Contact: Media & Communications: Phone: 225.342.1532, E-mail: dhhinfo@la.gov

Baton Rouge, La.?CDC, along with local and federal officials, responded today to a report of illness on a ship at the Port of New Orleans. Earlier today, local EMS transferred three of the ship?s crew members to a local hospital.The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) confirmed a positive test result this evening for malaria in the patient being treated at a New Orleans-area hospital. DHH shared this information with CDC and local officials. The other two patients had mild symptoms and are being assessed. Another ill crew member disembarked in the Bahamas two days ago, where he was diagnosed with malaria and later died. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes and does not spread from person to person. Approximately 1500-2000 cases are reported every year in the United States, almost all in recent travelers.

The ship?s itinerary included Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in addition to other ports. Based on a hospital?s request, CDC conducted testing on the crew member who died, and the results showed that this crew member was negative for the type of Ebola that is causing the current outbreak in West Africa. Ebola is not suspected as a cause of the other crew members? illnesses. No crew members had known exposures to Ebola.

CDC will continue to work closely with the hospital and local health authorities.

For more information about CDC?s role in responding to reports of illnesses on ships and airplanes, visitwww.cdc.gov/quarantine/quarantine-stations-us.html

http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.c...om/detail/3116

[MHSC]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Joint Statement from DHH and the CDC Regarding Illness of Cargo Ship Crew Member


The ship’s itinerary included Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in addition to other ports. Based on a hospital’s request, CDC conducted testing on the crew member who died, and the results showed that this crew member was negative for the type of Ebola that is causing the current outbreak in West Africa.

The way they word this gives me pause. As a side note, Nancy Whitbol tested positive for malaria as well in the beginning.

[Nika]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Yeah that was an inelegant statement. Also, indeed, malaria and ebola are not exclusive of one another.

[Vibrant62]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

The evidence for the levels of doubt that should be applied will be in what occurs next i.e how the additional sick and other crew members are treated. If they are kept isolated, then it raises concern, but an abundance of caution in present circumstances would not be misplaced. If they are released, it is (most likely) simple malaria.

[Emily]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

If this turns out to be multiple cases of malaria on one ship, it seems part of a larger public health/human rights problem:

Maritime industry needs to better protect merchant vessel workers from malaria

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

With ill crew taken off, ship completes trip to New Orleans

Meg Farris / Medical Reporter 5:50 p.m. CDT September 18, 2014

NEW ORLEANS -- After some tense hours Wednesday night, the ship that was detained while sick crewmen were taken to the hospital, is now back on schedule and made its trip to the original destination Thursday in New Orleans East.

The Marine Phoenix got the all clear to go back into commerce. A river pilot boarded at 10 am where it was anchored near Belle Chasse.
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Thursday, just after noon, the 450-foot refrigeration ship, came up river and entered the Industrial Canal. Two tugs assisted it through the locks.

There was no word on how many crewmen remained on the vessel.

The ship continued to its destination, New Orleans Cold Storage on Jourdan Road in Almonaster, to pick up its cargo to export.

Management at Cold Storage had no comment for the media.

The Marine Phoenix is scheduled to spend the next week at New Orleans Cold Storage loading its cargo, possibly, frozen chicken, to deliver around the world. It is scheduled to leave on September 25.
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http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/heal...eans/15850739/

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

State says feds kept them in the dark over illnesses
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Paul Murphy, 6:10 p.m. CDT September 18, 2014

BELLE CHASSE, La. - While the Coast Guard and the Centers for Disease Control were making decisions on how to respond to sick crew members aboard the New Orleans bound Marine Phoenix, Louisiana's top emergency manager says the state was apparently kept in the dark and cut out of the discussion.

"We should have been notified and been in that discussion of what we think the best course of action should be," said Kevin Davis, Director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Davis maintains he wasn't notified about the medical emergency until late in the game.
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Davis told the CDC, the agency needs to do a better job keeping the public informed.

"Because the initial discussion had Ebola in it, so that was certainly a fear," said Davis. "You know in a hurricane situation or any kind of disaster, information is the critical tool for the public to know what's going on, as they saw on TV people in (hazmat) suits, that was scary."
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Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser also said local authorities didn't get much notice the ship would be docking in Belle Chasse.

"The big question is why did it come in the river if there was even the possibility that there was a problem and something serious could be spread," said Nungesser. "Whenever there's a problem, they should contact where the ship is heading and not just allow the ship to come up the river."
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http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/loca...ness/15850791/

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Mosquito control experts downplay risk of malaria spread

Updated: Sep 18, 2014 6:03 PM CDT
Written by: Rob Masson -

As the ship got closer to the city, parish officials consulted with mosquito experts to see if there was any threat.
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"[The are] a lot of questions about whether the mosquito that bit that man could've been transported on board the ship," said Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser.

That would be extremely rare. Only one in 20 mosquitoes is the species that carries the disease, and given the ship's schedule and an incubation period of about 15 days, transmission is highly unlikely.

"The likelihood is they got the disease prior to getting on the boat," said Steven Pavlovich, with Mosquito Control Inc.

City leaders are paying attention.

"It's highly unlikely that there will be any transmission, and the public is safe. We will continue to monitor," said New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu.

Parish officials have consulted with Mosquito Control Inc., which is stepping up spraying in Jefferson Parish.
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Mosquito control officials say the bigger risk is if the malaria-carrying mosquito, bit one of the victims in New Orleans.
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http://www.fox8live.com/story/265713...malaria-spread

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Two stable, one 'guarded' after malaria strikes crew members of ship docked in New Orleans

By Jonathan Bullington, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune
on September 18, 2014 at 6:58 PM, updated September 18, 2014 at 7:17 PM

Two are in stable condition, and one in "guarded" condition, after malaria struck crew members aboard a ship docked in New Orleans, health officials said.

Officials at West Jefferson Medical Center gave an update Thursday (Sept. 18) on the conditions of the three crew members from the Liberian-flagged "Marine Phoenix," which docked in eastern New Orleans Wednesday night.
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http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf...l#incart_river

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ship with sick crewmen to dock in New Orleans tonight - possible malaria

Bahamas -

Ebola Rumour ?Completely Untrue?

As of Thursday, September 18, 2014

HEALTH Minister Dr Perry Gomez last night shot down ?bogus? reports that a patient died in Doctors Hospital after contracting the Ebola virus.
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Early today, it was brought to the attention of senior officials of the Ministry of Health that a bogus claim was posted on the internet indicating that a confirmed case of Ebola was reported in the Bahamas,? he told the House of Assembly.

?I would like to make it completely clear that this posting is completely untrue, however hospital officials did indicate that late Sunday night the US Embassy in the Bahamas responded to a call to rescue a very ill person on a freighter passing through Bahamian waters. The patient was a 34-year-old white male from the Ukraine working on the freighter which was en route to New Orleans from The Congo, West Africa.?

Dr Gomez said the man was taken to Nassau and sent to the emergency room at Doctors Hospital. He was placed in a single room in isolation, he said, adding that the necessary precautions were taken by staff who attended to the patient.
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He said the patient was diagnosed with septic shock and treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics and drugs to raise blood pressure.

Blood work at the hospital confirmed a diagnosis of malaria, he said.

The patient died on September 16. Blood has been sent to the Centres for Disease Control for analysis, he said.
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http://www.tribune242.com/news/2014/...letely-untrue/