Crazy World We Live: Here's How The CDC Hopes To Prevent Ebola From Spreading On Planes

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Here's How The CDC Hopes To Prevent Ebola From Spreading On Planes

From watching passengers for symptoms to containing contaminated areas, flight attendants are first responders in air travel.

Jonathan Alcorn / Reuters

The second health care worker to be diagnosed with Ebola in Texas boarded two flights after she was infected with the virus, prompting Frontier Airlines to take the airplane she had traveled on out of service.

Airline officials previously said she did not show any symptoms of Ebola at the time she traveled, making it unlikely that she was contagious.

"The risk of spreading Ebola to passengers or crew on an aircraft is low because Ebola spreads by direct contact with infected body fluids," Centers for Disease Control guidelines said. "Ebola does not spread through the air like flu."

Now, even though risks are low, the CDC will be limiting travel for others who have had contact with Ebola patients in Dallas.

Even before this week's developments, the CDC has recommended cabin and cleaning crews take precautions against infectious disease.

"As flight attendants, we all understand the risks associated with the role we have on the aircraft as first responders," said a statement from Association of Flight Attendants. "It is particularly important that during this time of heightened awareness, you are also protecting yourselves in addition to your passengers."

Here's what experts recommend to prevent disease from spreading through air travel.

Passengers who are sick should be asked if they've traveled to Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone in the last 21 days, the CDC said. Flight attendants should look for symptoms including high fever, severe headache, nausea, or abdominal pain, the flight attendants' union added, and any potential cases of Ebola should be reported to the captain.

"A U.S. Department of Transportation rule permits airlines to deny boarding to air travelers with serious contagious diseases that could spread during flight, including travelers with possible Ebola symptoms," the CDC said.