[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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