U.S. Focusing on Disease Spread Through Air Travel

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. government health agencies are strengthening ties to airlines and aviation regulators to guard against the spread of infectious diseases or other deadly agents aboard commercial aircraft, federal officials said on Wednesday.

"With the potential of dramatic economic losses caused either by viruses or terrorists with viruses, a proactive posture rather than a reactive posture is an absolute necessity," said Rep. John Mica, a Florida Republican and chairman of the House aviation subcommittee.

"With over 1.6 billion passengers traveling worldwide each year on commercial air carriers, there is a real threat that these sometimes deadly diseases can be transmitted around the world in a matter of hours," Mica told a hearing attended by government health and aviation experts.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus in 2002 and 2003 killed more than 700 people in two dozen countries. It limited airline service to Asia where it first occurred and frightened off many international travelers."

reuters.myway.com...

The most disease infested air on the planet is in hospitals then airplanes, it about time. It would be a very easy way to spread antrax across the planet in just a few hours.

Originally posted by DrHoracid
The most disease infested air on the planet is in hospitals then airplanes, it about time. It would be a very easy way to spread antrax across the planet in just a few hours.

Anthrax really isn't the best example, as it does *not* spread person to person, it required direct contact with the Anthrax itself.

www.health.state.ny.us...

Can anthrax be spread person to person?

Inhalation (lung) anthrax is not spread from person to person. Even if you develop symptoms of inhalation anthrax, you are not contagious to other persons. If you develop cutaneous (skin) anthrax, the drainage from an open sore presents a low risk of infection to others. The only way cutaneous (skin) anthrax can be transmitted is by direct contact with the drainage from an open sore. Anthrax is not spread from person to person by casual contact, sharing office space, or by coughing and sneezing.

So unless you're into rubbing up against someone's sores then it's not a big deal.

However, if a different agent were in use - one that was communicable - i could see a need for concern.

Wait a second - i thought you were a doctor?



[edit on 7-4-2005 by negativenihil]

Originally posted by negativenihil

Wait a second - i thought you were a doctor?

[edit on 7-4-2005 by negativenihil]

If say 400 passengers were infected but the disease didn't show up for the incubation period, these passengers could be in a hundred different cities and give the illusion of a mass outbreak. It about terror not disease..............

Originally posted by DrHoracid
If say 400 passengers were infected but the disease didn't show up for the incubation period, these passengers could be in a hundred different cities and give the illusion of a mass outbreak. It about terror not disease..............

Ok, that's logical enough.

Your original statement was just a bit misleading imo

[edit on 7-4-2005 by negativenihil]