News

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NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
(2019-nCoV)

 28 January 2020

 

On 27 January, the World
Health Organisation (WHO) charted the Novel Coronavirus epidemic as follows: 

Typical symptoms include
fever, coughing and respiratory difficulties.

Having initially introduced a
lockdown in Wuhan, China where the disease originated, the Chinese authorities
have now put five cities in quarantine and cancelled air links with Wuhan.

Although human to human
infection is thought to be possible, the vast majority of the 37 confirmed
cases outside China concerned people who had recently been in Wuhan.

Countries around the world are
introducing screening measures at entry points such as airports and ports in
the hope of avoiding a worldwide epidemic.

In France, the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, has issued a trilingual flyer in French, English and Mandarin for
travelers who have been staying in China, or are intending to do so.

On 27 January, ship agents received
a memorandum from the Port of Marseille-Fos confirming that the sea links
between Wuhan and Dourges have been suspended and advising that the flyer
should be distributed to all vessels which have called in China.

The flyer advises that anyone
suffering from the symptoms of a respiratory illness should:

• Wear
  a surgical mask when others are present;
• Use
  disposable tissues and wash hands regularly;
• Contact
  the French medical emergency services (SAMU – call “15”) and tell them of any
  journey to Wuhan (or China).

To reduce the risk
transmission, people with novel coronavirus-type symptoms are requested not to go to a hospital or general
practitioner.

As China continues to encourage
its citizens to restrict their movements, countries around the world are taking
up the World Health Organisation’s advice on preventive measures and screening
passengers arriving from China and Hong Kong.

International cruise companies
and airlines have been reviewing their cancellation policies for passengers suffering
from the virus’ flu-like symptoms.

A major Chinese P&I Club
has advised its members to report any potential coronavirus case, limit crew
changes, ensure that their crews remain on board when calling in countries
where the coronavirus is present, limit access on board for non-crew members, avoid
consumption of raw or undercooked animal products and prevent cross-contamination
between food products of animal origin when preparing and storing foods.

We are monitoring the situation
across our network of offices in France, Africa, China and South-East Asia.

Sarah Penwarden
Budd Marseille-Fos