When aship coming from an infected port has been subjected to a process for the destruction of rats, this process should only be repeated if the ship has touched meanwhile at an infected port, and has been alongside a quay in such port, or if the presence of sick or dead rats on board is proven.
The crew and passengers may be subjected to a surveillance, which should not exceed five days, to be computed from the date when the ship sailed from the infected port. The landing of the crew may also, during the same time, be forbidden except for reasons of duty.
Competent authority at the port of arrival may always demand, under oath, a certificate of the ship's physician, or in default of a physician, of the captain, setting forth that there has not been a case of plague on board since departure; and that no marked mortality among the rats has been observed.
Article XXIV. When upon an indemne ship rats have been recognized as pest-stricken as a result of bacteriological examination, or when a marked mortality has been established among these rodents, the following measures should be applied:
- 1. Ships with plague-stricken rats:
- (a) Medical visit (Inspection).
- (b) Rats should be destroyed before or after the discharge of cargo, as rapidly as possible, and in all cases with a delay not to exceed forty-eight hours; the deterioration of merchandise, vessels and machinery to be avoided. Upon ships in ballast, this operation should be performed as soon as possible, and in all cases before taking on cargo.
- (c) Such parts of the ship and such articles as the local sanitary authority regards as infected, shall be disinfected.
- (d) Passengers and crew may be submitted to observation the duration of which should not exceed five days dating from the day of arrival, except in special cases where the sanitary authority may prolong the observation to a maximum of ten days.
- 2. Ships where a marked mortality among rats is observed:
- (a) Medical visit (Inspection).
- (b) An examination of rats, with a view to determining the existence of plague, should be made as quickly as possible.
- (c) If the destruction of rats is judged necessary, it shall be accomplished under the conditions indicated above in the case of ships with plague-stricken rats.
- (d) Until all suspicion may be eliminated, the passengers and crew may be submitted to observation, the duration of which should not exceed five days counting from the date of arrival, except in special cases when the sanitary authority may prolong the observation to a maximum of ten days.
Article XXV. The sanitary authorities of the port must deliver to the captain, the owner, or his agent, whenever a demand for it is made, a cer-
