Page 231 - Vessel Sanitation Program 2018 Operations Manual
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VSP 2018 Operations Manual
13.4.3.6 Survey
VSP may also request distribution of a survey to all passengers and crew
members. VSP will provide this survey to the vessel. Completed surveys
should be held in the infirmary until collection by VSP staff for
epidemiologic analysis.
13.4.3.7 Interviews
Interviews with cases may also be useful for identifying the etiology and
associated risk factors of an OUTBREAK. When distributing the surveys,
medical staff should advise cases that interviews may be requested when
VSP arrives at the vessel.
13.4.4 Report
13.4.4.1 Preliminary Report
After an OUTBREAK investigation, a preliminary report of findings
based on available clinical and epidemiologic information, environmental
inspection reports of the investigation, and interim recommendations will
be presented to the master of the vessel. Based on preliminary findings,
additional materials (including additional passenger and crew information)
may be requested from the cruise line or the vessel and follow-up studies
may be undertaken to address specific suspicions or concerns.
13.4.4.2 Final Report
The report presented to the master of the vessel will remain preliminary
until completion of more-extensive epidemiologic and laboratory studies
and distribution of a final report containing summary recommendations.
13.4.5 AGE Specimens
13.4.5.1 AGE Specimen Supplies
Supplies recommended for specimen collection include the following:
• *20–50 wide-mouth plastic jars or specimen cups with screw caps
for stool specimens.
• *20 plastic bags for storing specimen cups.
• *Disposable medical gloves.
• *Plastic disposable spoons for collecting stool.
• *20 sterile bottles or tubes containing bacterial preservative and
transport medium (e.g., Cary-Blair).
• *Sterile swabs.
• *Rectal swabs.
• Stool preservative medium for parasites.
• *A large commercial roll of plastic wrap.
• Sterile phlebotomy supplies for obtaining serum specimens
(needles, syringes, swabs).
Annex 13.4: Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreak Investigation; 178
