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CDC Guideline for Airline Clean-Up Crews

CDC-ACI Phone Conference April 3: Meeting Notes

Infection Control Guidance for Quarantine Officers at Canadian Airport - April 3, 2003



April 1, California, San Jose Airport:
American Airlines flight 128 from Tokyo with 125 passengers and 14 crew members aboard was isolated on the tarmac for two hours after five people (three first-class passengers and two crew members) complained of symptoms like those reported from SARS. Passengers and crew members who felt sick were be transported to a hospital for chest X-rays and to have their travel history checked before they are classified as suspected cases of SARS.
Others on the plane were given medical advice and allowed to depart - but told to immediately contact a doctor if they develop any symptoms.

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April 1, Singapore Airlines: Singapore Airlines said an attendant was sickened after traveling on a recent flight that carried an SARS-stricken doctor

 

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March 31, Canada Airports: Measures by Health Canada:

For incoming travelers currently on the ground at Vancouver and Pearson International Airports:

  • Quarantine Officers meeting direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing and actively passing out Health Alert Notices to incoming passengers (yellow cards). These Health Alert Notices ask passengers to see a physician if they begin to have any symptoms related to SARS.
  • Health Alert Notices with accompanying posters in all terminals for distribution to all other non-USA international flights.
  • Active participation of Quarantine Officers on Airport Authority Emergency Protocols as required.
  • Several thousand Health Alert Notices and Health Canada posters have been sent to terminals at the airports in Halifax, St John's, Montreal (Dorval and Mirabel), Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.
  • As of the week of March 24, Health Canada has deployed personnel to Dorval International Airport (same roles and tasks as Vancouver and Pearson). Dorval does not receive direct flights from Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing.

For departing domestic and international travelers (from Pearson International Airport)

  • Effective April 1, 2003, Health Canada will launch an initiative to inform all departing travelers from Pearson International Airport about symptoms and contact with persons with SARS through the Health Alert Notice (cherry cards).
  • The local airport authorities will place the Health Alert Notices and posters at strategic locations at Pearson International Airport, informing travelers who meet certain criteria to defer their flights. These criteria include: having SARS symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing); having been in contact with a SARS-affected person in the last 10 days; and, having visited a health facility that has been identified by public health officials as being affected by SARS.
  • If passengers have symptoms, they are instructed to call their personal physician and when they see their physician, they are instructed to give them the Health Alert Notice and explain why they have deferred their travel.
  • If passengers have visited a SARS-affected facility or have had contact with a SARS-affected patient, they are instructed to call their local health department.
  • A Health Canada SARS Team of physicians and nurses will be deployed to Pearson to provide information to airline and airport staff. In very limited cases, this team will assist the individual traveler and, if necessary, arrange for the transportation of individuals to local medical facilities.
  • Passengers seeking further information related to postponing their travel are advised to call the Health Canada SARS Info Line at 1-800-454-8302.
  • Health Canada will be continually monitoring the situation on the ground at Pearson International Airport to evaluate the efficacy of the measures being implemented.
  • Health Canada is asking for the cooperation of local public health officials, the airline industry and the traveling public on this plan.

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March 18, Thai Airways: Thai Airways takes protective measures for SARS including the distribution of masks on flights from SARS-affected countries - 2003, March 18

The airline announced today that it will provide masks to all passengers and crew traveling from places that the World Health Organization has declared to be affected by a SARS.

These measures follow a directive from
Thailand's Ministry of Public Health to stop the possible spread of the disease.

According to an airline spokeswoman surgical masks would be distributed and passengers encouraged, though not compelled, to wear them.

Airline ground staff will also observe passengers at check-in counters and boarding gates. Those with flu-like symptoms will not be allowed to board unless they provide a doctor's letter stating they are fit to travel.

All passengers will also be required to fill in medical information forms so that they can be traced in case it is discovered they had been exposed to the disease.
SARS starts with flu-like symptoms and apparently has been spread by airplane passengers throughout the globe.

The WHO issued a rare travel warning and has described it a worldwide health threat.



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