[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 131 (Thursday, July 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37128-37129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18197]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Request for Topic Specific Comments on the Revision of the Vessel
Sanitation Program's Operations Manual (1989)
AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACTION: Notice of request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice solicits topic specific information for
consideration in revision of the Vessel Sanitation Program's (VSP)
operations manual. The document was last revised in August 1989. Input
from the cruise line industry and other interested parties is critical
to this document. Comments and information provided will be used to
draft a revised and expanded Operations Manual to reflect CDC's, the
industry's, and others current knowledge. The specific topical areas
for the revised manual are:
Food Safety.
Water Sanitation.
Disease Surveillance.
Childcare Sanitation.
Housekeeping Sanitation.
Pools, Spas, & Recreational Areas.
Self-Inspection and Microbiological Monitoring.
Indoor Air Quality.
Toxic Substances.
Waste Management.
Integrated Pest Management.
Administrative Guidelines.
DATES: To be considered in the manual revision process, written
comments and additional information must be received by September 8,
1998.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the current Operations Manual must be
made by calling (770) 488-3141. Written comments on the existing
document, or suggested changes or additions for a revised document
should be sent by mail or facsimile to: Daniel Harper, Chief, VSP,
Mailstop F16, 4770 Buford Highway, NE., Atlanta, GA, 30341-3724,
facsimile (770) 488-4127, or e-mail [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is a cooperative activity
between the cruise ship industry and the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. This program is authorized by the Public Health
Service Act Sections 361-369 [42 U.S.C. 264-272], and implementing
regulations found at 42 CFR Part 71. The
[[Page 37129]]
purpose and goals of the VSP are to achieve and maintain a level of
sanitation that will lower the risk for gastrointestinal and other
disease outbreaks and assist the passenger line industry in its effort
to provide a healthful environment for passengers and crew.
Comments and suggestions for revision of the manual must include
appropriate text specific documentation and/or references providing the
scientific support for any suggested change or addition to the current
operations manual. The VSP will evaluate all comments and suggestions
received and will draft a revised operations manual for discussion and
review by interested parties and the public. The draft document will be
circulated to the industry and others, and VSP will hold a public
meeting in October or November, 1998, to allow discussion of the draft
manual. The final draft of a revised operations manual is planned for
January 1, 1999.
Dated: July 2, 1998.
Joseph R. Carter,
Acting Associate Director for Management and Operations, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
[FR Doc. 98-18197 Filed 7-8-98; 8:45 am]
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