USCG updates Instruction on Disease Concerns Related to Coast Guard Operations

United States Coast Guard has updated its Commandant Instruction on Public Health and Disease Concerns Related to Coast Guard Operations. The Instruction provides information about strategies to mitigate the risk of, and control possible adverse health effects on active duty service members (ADSM) related to Coast Guard operations involving boardings, inspections and Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO.

Activities associated with various Coast Guard operations may place ADSMs at increased risk for illness or injury. Inspections, boardings, and AMIO may include direct physical contact with people from regions with endemic communicable diseases. These operations frequently have occupational or environmental conditions and circumstances that expose ADSMs to potential health hazards. Contact with persons with communicable diseases may increase the likelihood of disease transmission. Health risks associated with any of these operations can be controlled and minimized by a combination of awareness of risk factors and implementation of public and environmental health prevention and control measures.

In comparison with the 2006 Instruction, COMDTINST 6220.9B now refers to a supporting Technical Directive with regard to a provision of health care to personnel in care and custody to the Coast Guard as a result of Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) and detainee operations.

RELEVANT DOCUMENT (AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUBSCRIBERS):

Public Health and Disease Concerns Related to Coast Guard Operations