The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) requires that marine vessels report cases of communicable disease amongst passengers and crew upon entering and departing Canada pursuant to section 34 of the Quarantine Act.
Instructions for reporting communicable disease on maritime conveyances
1. Reporting is requested 24 to 48 hours prior to arrival in Canadian waters or at the last international marine port (if less than 24 hours). Should there be any change in the situation being reported prior to arrival at first Canadian port, an updated report must be sent to the Quarantine Officer.
2. Reporting is required as soon as possible if departing from the last port of call in Canada with a communicable disease as defined in the Quarantine Act.
3. If the link to submit the maritime declaration of health (MDH) is not operational, please request and complete the PDF version of the MDH and annex, along with the Excel Case Reporting Form to the following email: cns-snc@phac-aspc.gc.ca
4. Cruise ships reporting gastrointestinal illness (GI) on board should continue reporting to the Public Health Agency of Canada-Gastrointestinal Illness Surveillance System (http://www.healthspace.ca/hcsc). Any issues with GI reporting should be addressed to tpp-ppv@phac-aspc.gc.ca.
