Transmission of Influenza on International Flights, May 2009

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Emerg Infect Dis
• Personal Author:
  Foxwell, A. Ruth ; Roberts, Leslee ; Lokuge, Kamalini ; Kelly, Paul M.
• Description:
  Understanding the dynamics of influenza transmission on international flights is necessary for prioritizing public health response to pandemic incursions. A retrospective cohort study to ascertain in-flight transmission of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and influenza-like illness (ILI) was undertaken for 2 long-haul flights entering Australia during May 2009. Combined results, including survey responses from 319 (43%) of 738 passengers, showed that 13 (2%) had an ILI in flight and an ILI developed in 32 (5%) passengers during the first week post arrival. Passengers were at 3.6% increased risk of contracting pandemic (H1N1) 2009 if they sat in the same row as or within 2 rows of persons who were symptomatic preflight. A closer exposed zone (2 seats in front, 2 seats behind, and 2 seats either side) increased the risk for postflight disease to 7.7%. Efficiency of contact tracing without compromising the effectiveness of the public health intervention might be improved by limiting the exposed zone.
• Subjects:
  Aircraft Humans Influenza, Human Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype Pandemics Public Health Questionnaires Retrospective Studies Risk Factors Seasons Time Factors Travel

  More +
• Source:
  Emerg Infect Dis. 17(7):1188-1194.
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Australia
• Volume:
  17
• Issue:
  7
• Collection(s):
  Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:73432763772dcf2c59a3e21d5070b647298424a64ca2640aebba75fa60f6fe75
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/18437/cdc_18437_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 305.24 KB ]