[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17427-17428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9334]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Consolidation of United States Ports Designated To Conduct Rodent
Infestation Inspections and Issue Deratting and Deratting Exemption
Certificates
AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of
Health and Human Services, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with International and U.S. Federal regulations,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has, for many
years, inspected ships for rodent infestation and issued Deratting and
Deratting Exemption Certificates at 18 major U.S. ports, as well as, by
special arrangement, more than 100 smaller ports. To streamline these
operations and increase cost effectiveness, CDC has consolidated the
ports where it conducts these activities. As of October 1, 1997, CDC
began conducting these inspections only at the ports of Baltimore, MD;
Honolulu, HI: Houston, TX; Jacksonville, FL; Los Angeles, CA; Miami,
FL; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Savannah, GA; and
Seattle, WA.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David F. Rogers, Acting Chief, Program
Operations Branch, Division of Quarantine, National Center for
Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Mailstop E-03, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, (404) 639-8107, FAX (404) 639-
2599, E-mail dfr1@cdc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose and Background
This announcement provides notification of CDC's consolidation of
the ports in the U.S. where rodent infestation inspections of ships are
conducted and Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates are
issued.
In accordance with Article 17 of the International Health
Regulations, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva,
the United States is required to (1) ensure that a sufficient number of
U.S. ports have the capacity to inspect ships for the issue of
Deratting Exemption Certificates and (2) depending upon the volume and
incidence of international traffic, approve a number of these ports and
maintain the capacity to perform rodent infestation inspections and
issue
[[Page 17428]]
Deratting Certificates. The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS),
specifically CDC, is delegated the responsibility for providing these
services, as provided in 42 CFR Section 71.46.
Until a major restructuring in the 1970's greatly reduced the
number of ports at which PHS assigned staff, these services were
regularly performed by PHS staff at 18 large ports and more than 100
smaller ports, as manpower permitted. Since 1977, almost all
inspections have been performed under contract by qualified pest
control operators at these same ports, at no cost to the owners or
agents of the ships inspected. In contrast, most nations pass along the
costs associated with these services to those who benefit from them.
Deratting Exemption Certificates Not Required Since 1985
Because of worldwide derat certification activities and modern rat-
proofing of ships, CDC determined in 1985 that no adverse impact on the
public health would result from not requiring vessels from foreign
ports to have a valid Deratting Exemption Certificate. As a result, the
United States has not required Deratting Exemption Certificates for the
last twelve years. This change resulted in a more economical rodent
inspection program without any adverse consequences or increased risk
to the public health.
Consolidation of Inspections and Deratting Certificate Issuance
CDC has now determined that consolidation of the number of ports at
which inspections are conducted and Deratting Certificatess are issued
will further economize the program without jeopardizing the public
health.
Accordingly, beginning October 1, 1997, CDC started conducting
rodent infestation inspections at eleven specified ports. Six of these
ports were selected because of the proximity of PHS staff who can
conduct inspections as necessary and ensure quality control. The five
additional ports add geographic dispersion and provide additional
opportunities for those seeking inspection services.
Article 20 of the International Health Regulations requires that
notice be given to WHO when the list of ports designated in application
of the International Health Regulations is changed. This notification
has been made.
Applicability
The list of ports at which rodent infestation inspections are
conducted and Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates are issued
represents the only ports designated for this purpose. CDC staff or
contract representatives are not available to conduct inspections at
any other port.
Dated: April 3, 1998.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-9334 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
