Advice: Air Travel and Communicable Disease

Subject 

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Virus Information

Purpose

To inform air operators of recently developed guidance from the Department of Health & Services (HSE)

Background

The Pandemic (H1N1) 2009  virus that has infected humans is a novel influenza A virus not previously identified in Europe.   Illness signs and symptoms have consisted of influenza like illness: fever and respiratory tract illness.  Investigations of these cases suggest that infection is occurring by human-to-human contact.

Discussion

Guidance for airlines, airport and the travelling and general public is available at the Department of Health website

The Department of Health Protection Surveillance Centre provides specific guidance on the following:

• Advice for travellers
• Public Health Management of Contacts on an Aircraft
• Influenza A(H1N1) Aircraft Cleaning Guidance

The website provides the most relevant information on disease including infectious diseases through surveillance and independent advice, epidemiological investigation, research and training.  Important information on the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus is available on their website.

 The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control had developed and distributed interim guidance for airlines regarding the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. These documents contain recommendations on identifying and reporting passengers who demonstrate symptoms of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus and on controlling infection using industrial hygiene practices.  These documents also contain guidance for the management of crew members or passengers with symptoms of influenza and management of crew exposure after the completion of a flight crew exposure after the completion of a flight.  As the guidelines for the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus evolve and new information is learned, more detailed guidelines will be published to this website.

Forfás, Ireland’s national policy advisory body for enterprise and science has produced a policy document on business continuity planning for responding to an influenza pandemic as follows:

• Responding to an Influenza Pandemic
• Influenza Pandemic Report Checklist
• Case Studies for Organisations 

Additional relevant information about the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus can be found at the following websites:

International Websites

• U.S. Centre for Disease Control
• World Health Organisation:
• Travel Industry Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
• Department of Health and Human Services
• International Air Transport Association
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Recommended Action

Directors of Aviation Safety and Directors of Airline Operations should be familiar with the HSE//HSPC/WHO/EATA/CDC/ECDC websites and its recommendations about the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus. The IAA advises that these individuals will adopt new or revised HSE/HSPC/WHO/EATA/CDC/ECDC recommendations, as appropriate, and distribute this information to the travelling public and crew members.