MEMBER ALERT Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc., Manager One Battery Park Plaza 31 st Fl., New York, NY 10004 USA Tel: +1 212 847 4500 Fax: +1 212 847 4599 https://www.american-club.com American Club Member Alert – September 10 , 201 9 1 SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 OUTBREAK OF DENGUE FEVER IN THE PHILIPPINES There has been an outbreak of Dengue fever in the Philippines. Dengue fever, an Aedes aegypti mosquito-borne viral disease, is known to have a two-week undetectable incubation period. It causes flu-like symptoms, can be lethal and has no reliably known vaccine. However, it is curable if diagnosed and treated in time. The Club-approved PEME clinics in the Philippines have been asked to ensure they take proper precautions to check for dengue fever symptoms during their examinations of Filipino seamen. Members should also consider notifying their manning agents to check seafarers for signs of incipient Dengue fever immediately before they deploy. The Aedes aegypti mosquito feeds primarily during the day and is most active for approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset. Members are recommended to ensure that they also take precautionary measures for vessels that moor, load or discharge within two miles of the coast of the Philippine archipelago. These precautions include: • doors and windows are kept closed during the day for as long as reasonably possible; • any mosquitoes entering compartments are killed; • insect repellent spray is used extensively, including under tables and chairs and in dark corners; • long sleeved shirts and trousers are worn; • pools of stagnant water, dew or rain are removed; • refuse bags and bins are sealed properly; • portholes, ventilation and other openings are covered with fine wire mesh; and • lights are screened to avoid attracting mosquitoes. Members are reminded that infectious disease related guidance material can be found on the Club’s website at: https://www.american-club.com/page/infectious_diseases Members are asked to take note of this information and be guided accordingly.