Ship in Dublin gives ‘declaration of health’ after Sierra Leone docking

The captain of a ship which was due to dock in Dublin at 1am this morning and which which docked in the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown just over a week ago has been asked to give a maritime declaration of health to the Irish authorities.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) told The Irish Times yesterday it had received the declaration from the ship's master as part of new procedures imposed on all ships which have called to areas affected by the Ebola virus – specifically Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria.

The cargo ship left Freetown on October 2nd and called at Tenerife in the Canaries en route to Dublin port as part of a regular six-week run between European ports and west Africa. It is due to set sail again today from Dublin.

A spokesman said that there was “no issue” with the ship following receipt of the declaration as the vessel is owned by a reputable company.

There were no plans for a specific inspection by HSE public health experts while the vessel is in port, the spokesman said.

The HSE is known to be concerned about undue public concern about Ebola-risk following anecdotal reports of Irish residents of African origin being “stigmatised” due to misinformation.

The procedures relating to Ebola for all Irish ports were issued by the HSE on September 1st, and are in line with a similar response in European ports, the spokesman said.