Transportation in commerical aircraft of passengers having contagious diseases
Perin, M.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 47(10): 1109-1113
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0095-6562 PMID: 985288 Document Number: 341448
Most airlines refuse to board passengers known or believed to have contagious diseases. Such rigor can scarcely be justified by reference to laws or regulations. It introduces the risk of arbitrary, mistaken or prejudiced conduct in areas in which international organizations recommend the greatest liberalization, and it can cause serious harm to certain patients. It does not seem logical, for airlines to learn about only a small fraction of the contagious persons who travel, and public health is much more greatly endangered by unknown contagious persons. Normal hygienic conditions aboard planes suppress the risks of contagion concerning most diseases transmitted by insects or through contact with the skin, mucuous membranes, feces or urine. Airlines should continue to refuse to transport only those passengers having diseases characterized by vomiting or serious diarrhea or transmitted through the air if it is impossible by simple means to avoid the risk of contaminating other travelers and any members of the flight crew who might be receptive.