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Passenger health - the risk posed by infectious disease in the aircraft cabin
Passenger health - the risk posed by infectious disease in the aircraft cabin
Summary
The ATSB released this report in June 2008. Since that time,
the ATSB has received comments regarding the technical accuracy of
the removal of particles from high efficiency particulate air
filters (page 6 of the report). This report has been amended
accordingly and contains an additional reference for readers on
page 10.
Every year, an increasing number of people undertake air travel.
Whether for business or pleasure, these journeys should be safe and
enjoyable. However, there is continuing public concern about
whether, or to what extent, aircraft cabins represent an increased
risk of transmission of infectious disease. The purpose of this
report was to review the current literature on the potential risk
of disease transmission within an aircraft cabin.
The evidence suggests that passengers' health is not greatly at
risk through air travel and widespread infections are unlikely.
Although there have been cases of infectious disease transmission
in aircraft cabins, there is evidence that such transmission was
primarily due to the crowding together of a large variety of people
in a confined space, not specifically due to aircraft cabin
conditions. This suggests that the risk of transmission within an
aircraft cabin is no greater than in other crowded and confined
spaces, provided circulation and filtration systems are working
properly. Perhaps of greater concern is the opportunity for
infection to spread in airport terminals, where passengers who are
traveling to or from many destinations are gathered together.
The increase in international travel has also heightened the
risk for the global spread of infectious diseases. It is not
possible to predict when the next pandemic will occur or how long
it will last but many health officials think that it's only a
matter of time. Although the increase in international air travel
could assist with the spread of a future influenza pandemic, the
aviation industry will also play a critical role in mitigating the
consequences.
Download Complete Document:
ar-2007050a [
PDF: 803KB]
Type: Research and Analysis Report
Author(s): ATSB
Publication Date: 10/06/2008
ISBN: 978-1-921490-35-4
Publication Number: 08165