Rosario port, Argentina
Argentine authorities quarantined the crew of the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Ina-Lotte after an Indian crewmember showed symptoms of a contagious virus upon arrival at Rosario port. Initial concerns over mpox were alleviated when tests confirmed the illness to be chickenpox.
An Indian crewmember aboard the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Ina-Lotte caused concern when he exhibited symptoms initially suspected to be mpox, leading to strict quarantine measures. The vessel, inbound to Argentina’s Puerto San Lorenzo, reported that the crewmember had developed lesions consistent with mpox, prompting Argentine health authorities to implement emergency protocols. The ship was ordered to anchor in the river, and both the crew and the pilot were placed in quarantine, prohibited from disembarking. Health officials boarded the vessel, conducted health checks, and took samples from the infected individual. Subsequent tests confirmed that the crewmember had contracted chickenpox, a less severe but still contagious illness. The crewman remains in quarantine on the vessel until it meets the required health standards. The situation highlighted on-going concerns about viral outbreaks among seafarers, especially in the wake of recent warnings about new strains of mpox from the World Health Organization.
By Priyadharshini
