Y L Huizer1, C M Swaan2, K C Leitmeyer3, A Timen4. 1. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: yvonne.huizer@gmail.com. 2. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: corien.swaan@rivm.nl. 3. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Tomtebodavägen 11a, 17183 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Katrin.Leitmeyer@ecdc.europa.eu. 4. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands. Electronic address: Aura.timen@rivm.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Air travel has opened up opportunities for world transportation, but has also increased infectious disease transmission and public health risks. To control disease spread, airlines and governments are able to implement control measures in air travel. This study inventories experiences and applicability of infectious disease control measures. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed, including studies between 1990 and 2013. Search terms included air travel terms and intervention terms. Interventions were scored according outcome, required resources, preparation, passenger inconvenience and passenger compliance. RESULTS: Provision of information to travelers, isolation, health monitoring, hygiene measures and vector control reportedly prevent disease spread and are well applicable. Contact tracing can be supportive in controlling disease spread but depend on disease characteristics. Exit and entry screening, quarantine and travel restrictions are unlikely to be very effective in preventing disease spread, while implementation requires extensive resources or travel implications. CONCLUSIONS: Control measures should focus on providing information towards travelers, isolation, health monitoring and hygiene measures. Appropriateness of measures depends on disease characteristics, and the required resources. As most studies analyze one type of measure in a particular situation, further research comparing the effectiveness of measures is recommended.
BACKGROUND: Air travel has opened up opportunities for world transportation, but has also increased infectious disease transmission and public health risks. To control disease spread, airlines and governments are able to implement control measures in air travel. This study inventories experiences and applicability of infectious disease control measures. METHODS: A literature search was performed in PubMed, including studies between 1990 and 2013. Search terms included air travel terms and intervention terms. Interventions were scored according outcome, required resources, preparation, passenger inconvenience and passenger compliance. RESULTS: Provision of information to travelers, isolation, health monitoring, hygiene measures and vector control reportedly prevent disease spread and are well applicable. Contact tracing can be supportive in controlling disease spread but depend on disease characteristics. Exit and entry screening, quarantine and travel restrictions are unlikely to be very effective in preventing disease spread, while implementation requires extensive resources or travel implications. CONCLUSIONS: Control measures should focus on providing information towards travelers, isolation, health monitoring and hygiene measures. Appropriateness of measures depends on disease characteristics, and the required resources. As most studies analyze one type of measure in a particular situation, further research comparing the effectiveness of measures is recommended.
Authors: Varvara A Mouchtouri; Eleni P Christoforidou; Maria An der Heiden; Cinthia Menel Lemos; Margherita Fanos; Ute Rexroth; Ulrike Grote; Evelien Belfroid; Corien Swaan; Christos Hadjichristodoulou Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-11-21 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: M Robynne Jungerman; Laura A Vonnahme; Faith Washburn; Francisco Alvarado-Ramy Journal: Travel Med Infect Dis Date: 2017-06-23 Impact factor: 6.211