Cruise Ships: Reporting Maritime Death or Illness (non-gastrointestinal) to DGMQ

Visit the following links to learn how cruise ships should report deaths and illnesses (non-gastrointestinal) to CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine (DGMQ). Effective on March 21, 2017, the definition of ill person under CDC regulations changed. This change, found in 42 Code of Federal Regulations part 71.1, clarifies the list of signs and symptoms that may indicate an ill person has a communicable disease of public health concern.

There is no change to the methods for reporting these illnesses or deaths to CDC.

• Guidance for Cruise Ships: How to Report Onboard Death or Illness to CDC
  • Maritime Conveyance Illness or Death Investigation Form [PDF – 4 pages]
  • Maritime Conveyance Cumulative Influenza/Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Form [PDF – 1 page]
  • Report acute gastroenteritis or diarrhea cases to the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP)

Definitions

To assist medical staff in identifying reportable illnesses and filling out reporting forms, CDC provides the following links to helpful tools:

• Definitions of Signs, Symptoms, and Conditions of Ill Travelers
• Explanation of Key Fields in Maritime Conveyance Illness or Death Investigation Form
• How to Calculate the Influenza or Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Case Outbreak Threshold for Cumulative Reports

Federal Regulations

Federal Regulations for Reporting Death and Illness on Ships Destined for the United States

Based on Federal Regulations (42 CFR Part 71.21), CDC/DGMQ requires reporting from international conveyances destined for the U.S. of all onboard deaths and certain illnesses suggestive of a communicable disease of public health concern.

CDC Quarantine Stations and jurisdictions