What is Port Health

Port Health aims to protect, prevent, and control any dangers or threats to public health that may be brought into or out of the country by people travelling by air or sea. It does not provide diagnostic or treatment services for individuals who are unwell on arrival at a port of entry.

Within the East Region Health Protection Service (ERHPS), the port health function helps prevent infectious diseases and other public health risks from entering the country or spreading through travel. The team works closely with a wide range of partner organisations to ensure this is done safely and effectively.

Why Port Health matters

Every day, people, goods, and transport move across international and domestic borders. Most of the time this occurs without issue, but occasionally situations arise that could put public health at risk. New diseases may emerge in other parts of the world and spread rapidly through travel. In rare cases, travellers may also be contaminated with hazardous chemicals, posing risks to others.

Port Health helps to:

• identify possible communicable disease or chemical contamination risks early
• prevent illness from spreading from flights or ships into the country
• ensure affected travellers are identified promptly and managed appropriately
• protect passengers, crew, and the wider public who may have been exposed
• provide reassurance to unaffected individuals and the public through clear, coordinated action with partners