Bulletin No.: 16/1994

Date (Y-M-D): 1994-10-14

Subject: Marine OSH Bulletin, Plague

Indian Government reports of plague infection in India have prompted Canada and other countries to put into place a variety of measures to help prevent the importation of plague or plague vectors from India.Health Canada, in conjunction with Revenue Canada, Customs, has initiated an early alert procedure, called Radio Pratique, for ships that have recently visited Ports in India.This procedure requires that ships notify the Port Customs Office at least 24 hours in advance of docking. The ship's master is required to provide information related to crew health and/or evidence of rats on board.

All persons, such as pilots, ships agents, cargo handlers or port officials with duties on these ships either before or after docking, should advise the local Health Canada Quarantine Officer if they observe the following:

1. Seriously ill crew members.
2. live or dead rats, or rat droppings.

Since the incubation period for plague is 6 days or less, the chance of a crew member sick with plague arriving in Canada is very remote. Bubonic plague is endemic in certain parts of India, however, so added surveillance of international shipping for evidence of rat infestation is appropriate until the threat of plague in India subsides.

A list of Health Canada Quarantine Offices is attached for your use. In the event that you cannot reach a Health Canada Officer, please contact the local Customs office, which will be in 24-hour contact with Health Canada. You can also obtain further information on plague by contacting the Health Canada Plague Information line, at 1-800 267-1238.

Anyone who has visited a ship which displays evidence of rats or crew members with the above symptoms, and who becomes ill within 7 days with high fever, glandular swelling or other symptoms should see their physician and advise him or her of the contact with this ship.

Health Canada

Atlantic Region

Paul Moore
Environmental Health Officer
Medical Services Branch
Atlantic Region
1557 Hollis Street
Suite 500
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia
B3J 3V4

TEL: 902-426-9339
FAX: 902-426-4833

Quebec Region

Rolland Duguay
Regional Environmental Health Officer
Medical Services Branch
Suite 202, 2nd Floor
East Tower, Place Guy Favreau
200 René Lévesque Blvd. W.
MONTREAL, Quebec

TEL: 514-283-3169
FAX: 514-283-4317

Ontario Region

Paul Strohack
Senior Environmental Health Officer
Medical Services Branch
Lester B. Pearson International Airport
P.O. Box 6006
TORONTO, Ontario

TEL: 905-612-6005
>905-612-6056
FAX: 905-612-6054

Pacific Region

Johnny Lau
Environmental Health Officer
Medical Services Branch
515-757 West Hastings Street
VANCOUVER, British Columbia
V6C 1A1

TEL: 604-666-6827
FAX: 604-666-2773

To add or change your address, contact us at: marinesafety@tc.gc.ca

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