WHO meets airline members on SARS
By Azrol Azmi

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advised consultation with manufacturers regarding aircraft disinfection against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). WHO conceded that the present advice they have published on aircraft disinfection is out of date and should not be followed.

This was among the points raised in an International Air Transport Organisation (IATA) and WHO meeting early this week.

Kevin Dobby, Senior Vice President IATA, and Dr Ion Morrison, Medical Advisor met with Dr Guenael Rodier, Director of Communicable Disease Surveillance and Response (WHO) and his team to further discuss guidance material for airline personnel.

WHO confirmed three probable cases of SARS had been transmitted on aircraft. One case was a flight attendant.

There were no reports on which aircraft and which flight attendant had been affected with SARS.

WHO confirmed they were aware of 17 cases of SARS having been carried on aircraft.

Guidance material or document for aircrew who come in contact with a suspected SARS case is still being discussed, WHO said.

It will likely be modified again in view of airline concerns about the recommendations for personal protective equipment.

Given the fact that transmission has occurred in so few people on aircraft, it appears that the SARS virus is far less infectious than the 'flu' or the common cold, WHO said.

WHO confirmed the virus has been isolated from conjunctival swabs (within the eyelids).

And that the virus had been isolated from stool samples in the asymptomatic phase, that is, before the symptoms had appeared, WHO said.

WHO advised the life of the virus is 3-6 hours but it may be also be as long as 1-2 days if the virus is within proteinaceous material.

Most flight destinations take up to more than a few hours and to some destination it may be as more than eight hours.

WHO agreed there is no evidence that airline catering is in any way connected with the transmission of the disease.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin