Port Health Kenya
1. Citing pertinent examples describe the roles of an environmental health officer/PHO in ports of entry.
The roles of a public Health Officer in the ports of entry are many but they all fall under or rather are there for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR).It is also the most important role of a PHO in ports of entry or of exit. • Ensuring compliance to Public Health Laws, Standards and requirements.
Some of the roles they play include; * Implementation of the international Health regulations role
Public health officers in Member states have the role of implementing IHR in their countries. The purpose and scope of these Regulations are to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. * Disease surveillance Role
This includes screening of passengers from countries affected by internationally notifiable diseases and taking appropriate action as necessary. Investigation of any case of infectious diseases report at the port or aboard any vessel (aircraft, ship, train or road vehicle) entering the country.
They also work at the screening posts and baggage checking at the airports so as to be able to track down any substances carried by passengers that may pose a risk to the public. * Quarantine Role
Quarantine is the isolation of persons or animals suspected of being exposed or as having the potential to spread infectious or contagious diseases. Quarantine can be of a passenger(s) suspected of having an infectious disease, infected vessels or any vessel disinfected or disinfested as per IHR (2005) and other existing local laws and regulations.
* Inspection and certification of vessels Role
Public health officers inspect all types of commercial vessels like aircraft, ship, train or road vehicle to ensure
The roles of a public Health Officer in the ports of entry are many but they all fall under or rather are there for the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR).It is also the most important role of a PHO in ports of entry or of exit. • Ensuring compliance to Public Health Laws, Standards and requirements.
Some of the roles they play include; * Implementation of the international Health regulations role
Public health officers in Member states have the role of implementing IHR in their countries. The purpose and scope of these Regulations are to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade. * Disease surveillance Role
This includes screening of passengers from countries affected by internationally notifiable diseases and taking appropriate action as necessary. Investigation of any case of infectious diseases report at the port or aboard any vessel (aircraft, ship, train or road vehicle) entering the country.
They also work at the screening posts and baggage checking at the airports so as to be able to track down any substances carried by passengers that may pose a risk to the public. * Quarantine Role
Quarantine is the isolation of persons or animals suspected of being exposed or as having the potential to spread infectious or contagious diseases. Quarantine can be of a passenger(s) suspected of having an infectious disease, infected vessels or any vessel disinfected or disinfested as per IHR (2005) and other existing local laws and regulations.
* Inspection and certification of vessels Role
Public health officers inspect all types of commercial vessels like aircraft, ship, train or road vehicle to ensure
References: http://medind.nic.in/ibl/t09/i3/iblt09i3p120.pdf http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/18/7/12-0487_article.htm http: // www.who.int/ebwho/pdf.files/WHA http://www.who.int/ihr/area_of_work/en/index.html http://www.who.int/ihr/ports_airports/en/ WHO. International Health Regulation (2005). Geneva, World Health Organization; 2005; Annex. II, 53. WHO, International Travel and Health. World Health Organization; January 2007. Annex 2, 213.