[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 [email protected].

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