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Vessel Sanitation Program Charting a Healthier Course. National Center for Environmental Health. Vessel Sanitation Program. Mission. Prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases into the United States
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Vessel Sanitation ProgramCharting a Healthier Course National Center for Environmental Health Vessel Sanitation Program
Mission • Prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases into the United States • Assist cruise ship industry in developing and implementing comprehensive sanitation programs to minimize the risk for gastrointestinal illnesses
VSP Staff • Ft. Lauderdale • 5 Inspectors/EHOs • 1 Admin Assistant • Atlanta • 4 Inspectors/EHOs • 1 Epidemiologist • 1 Admin Assistant • 1 IT Specialist Total: 9 EHOs, 1 epi, and 3 support staff for entire U.S.
First overseas consul-tation on construction 1986 Inspections discontinued & industry “encouraged” to develop a program of self-inspection using Vessel Sanitation Inspection Manual 1970-1975 1975 1980 1988 Routine sanitation inspections of all arriving vessels Significant risk associated with cruise ships WHO Guide to Ship Sanitation Voluntary compliance to maintain minimum levels of sanitation and minimize threat of GI illness Inspection results available to the public User fees charged to support 100% of VSP budget 1987 In compliance with congressional directive, VSP reestablished with following components: Unannounced inspections Follow-up inspections Construction consultation Investigation of outbreaks Biweekly publication of inspection scores Inspection reports on request Cost for 2002 = $0.03/passenger/day VSP History
Jurisdiction • Cruise vessels that • Carry 13 or more passengers • Have an international itinerary • Call on U.S. ports • 2010 • 180+ vessels • 14.3 million passengers • * Estimate by Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)
Arabella Length 50 m Size 91 GRT Passengers 40 Crew 8 Allure of the Seas/Oasis of the Seas Length 360 m Size 225,282 GRT Passengers 5,400 Crew 2,165
VSP Program Components • Operational Inspections • Surveillance & Outbreak Investigations • Construction • Training & Consultation
Operational Inspections • Twice a year • Unannounced • Maximum score of 100 • Minimum passing score is 86
Based on • Previous VSP Ops Manual • Current FDA Model Food Code • WHO Guide to Ship Sanitation • Extensive References
Inspections in New York State • FY 2008 – 7 • FY 2009 – 15 • FY 2010 – 14 • FY 2011 – 17 • FY 2012 – 10 • Ports included Brooklyn (Red Hook Cruise Terminal), New York (Manhattan Cruise Terminal), Kingston, Oswego, and Troy
VSP Program Components • Operational Inspections • Surveillance & Outbreak Investigations • Construction • Training & Consultation
Surveillance • Report 24 hours before arrival at a U.S. port • Submit a 4-hour update • Submit a special report when gastrointestinal illness reaches 2% and again at 3% • Use electronic reporting system
Outbreak Investigations • Laboratory assessment • Epidemiological assessment • Environmental assessment
VSP Program Components • Operational Inspections • Surveillance & Outbreak Investigations • Construction • Training & Consultation
Construction • Plan reviews • Yard Inspection • Final inspection • Equipment reviews • New builds • Renovations
VSP Program Components • Inspections • Surveillance & Outbreak Investigation • Construction • Training & Consultation
Training • Train-the-trainer course for cruise ship supervisors • Six times per year • Miami and Seattle • 700 industry personnel per year
International Consultation Egypt – Nile Cruises
International Consultation • 10-12 cruise vessels: floating hotels • ATHENS 2004 mandate for USPHS inspection before arrival in Piraeus • EU SHIPSAN: project to standardize Europe on ship sanitation inspections
For more information please contact Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Environmental Health Vessel Sanitation Program
Vessel Sanitation ProgramCharting a Healthier Course National Center for Environmental Health Vessel Sanitation Program