Prevention of communicable disease spread on aircraft

through history the movement of infections disease across the globe has been intimately associated with movement of man himself. The most spectacular example of this was the spread of bubonic plague throughout Europe during the fourteenth which closely mirrored. The migration of the civilian population in advance of the Mongols invading from the east. A number of studies have been conducted assessing the risk of acquiring disease from travel. The findings are remarkable consistent. About two thirds of all international arrivals report no illness whilst overseas or during travel. But one- third are unwell ( cossar et al...1990) International air travel has had a significant effect on the epidemiology of a number of infectious diseases. There have been long- term changes associated with migration of populations and their endemic infections, importation of disease with short incubation periods and movement of disease vectors and reservoirs. This evolution has not stopped, and more changes will be seen in the future.Research has shown that there is very little risk of any infectious disease being transmitted on board the aircraft. The quality of aircraft cabin air is carefully controlled. Ventilation rate provide a total change of air 20-30 times per hour. The reciculated air is usually passed through HEPA filter, of the type used in hospital operating theatres and intensive care units which trap particles, bacteria, fungi and viruses.

transmission of infection may occur between passengers who are seated in the same area of an aircraft, usually as a result of the infected person coughing or sneezing or by touch (direct contact or contact with the same parts of the aircraft cabin and furnishings that other passengers touch). This is on a different from any other situation where people are close to each other, such as on a train, bus or at a theatre. In order to minimums the risk of passing on infections, passengers who are unwell, particularly if they have a fever, should delay their journey until they have recovered. Airlines may deny boarding to passengers who appear tube infected with a communicable disease.