Monday, October 13, 2014
Ports respond to Ebola threat with tighter rules
The U.S., Brazil and Argentina have imposed stricter port entry procedures for vessels sailing from West Africa in an effort to stem the potential spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it would screen individuals coming into the U.S. via ships from Ebola hot spots.
"The Administration continues to take thoughtful and straightforward steps in protecting Americans from Ebola, through stronger screening at our ports of entry," said lawmaker Charles Schumer.
The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. died on Wednesday morning at a Dallas hospital, according to a hospital spokesman.
Ebola has killed more than 3,400 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and has become a global concern affecting the container trade, airfreight and tourism industries.
Brazil’s health surveillance agency Anvisa said this week ships that docked in Ebola-affected countries in the last 21 days will receive clearance to dock at Brazilian ports only after a thorough analysis of medical records and logs showing medicine used.
Origin countries include Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal, according Anvisa.
There are worries about disruption in the West Africa logistics market and the spread of the disease has already rattled commodities and mining markets since the region is a major source of iron ore, crude oil, bauxite and cocoa.
Preventive measures have been imposed at airports in several countries, and ports are now following suit. While most ports have yet to quarantine ships and their crews coming from affected areas, more rigorous screening is being mandated that which could possibly slow shipping activity.
For more of the Reuters story: www.reuters.com
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