Investigation of Ship Sanitation Inspection at Kaohsiung Port, 2011–2015

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20170822.33(16).002

Jheng-Guang Jhong, Ying-Ying Tsai, Mei-Ju Chen,Chiou-Yueh You, Chao- Ching Chang

2017 Vol.33 NO.16

Correspondence Author: Jheng-Guang Jhong

  • Kaohsiung-Pingtung Regional Center, Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan

Abstract:

Kaohsiung-Pintung Region of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) administrates the affairs at National Kaohsiung Port (Kaohsiung Port), in which there are many ships passing through every year. Ships arrive at Kaohsiung Port, accompanied with potential risk factors, may threaten public health in Taiwan. According to International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR 2005), ships are required to hold valid sanitation certificates during navigating between nations. Therefore, Taiwan CDC follows the regulations mentioned, inspecting and conducting health education while there is evidence of ship sanitation defect. 

To examine the situation of ship sanitation at Kaohsiung Port, and consider about relative strategies in the future, we investigate the ship sanitation certificate issuance and patterns of ship sanitation control certificate from 2011 to 2015. In conclusion, the sanitation situation of oil vessels was the worst among the inspected ships, and evidence of vectors infestation were mostly located at food storage areas, which implied that improvement of the management of these areas was urgently needed. In addition to inspectors of CDC, shipping agencies and ship managers also play important roles in sanitation promotion in this issue. After all, quarantine officers at front line should conduct health education both in early and late stages for shipping agencies and ship managers. It is mandatory to improve sanitation defects and to increase their knowledge during ship sanitation inspections, which would help prevent disease spreading, and protect both health and life of quarantine officers, crew or passengers, and even the public.

Keywords:International Health Regulations (IHR), Kaohsiung Port, Ship sanitation inspection