Standard Operating Procedures for Screening Health Risk

at BOLE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

A Brief On (PORT) HEALTH Screening Office At POE

is a specialized unit of the Public health Division that acts as a coordinating
authority on international public health. Established on the protocols of the
Geneva Convention of 7 April 1948, it inherited the mandate of the
International Sanitary Regulation (Dec. 1928), IHR 2005, ICAO Annex 9
Chapter 8
The Health Screening Unit of the EPHI at the BIA is the driving force that
helps to ensure maximum degree of protection against international spread
of diseases with minimum interference on movements of people, goods and
services.
To provide adequate public health services in accordance with existing
international and national laws and regulations to all stakeholders of the
airport through collaboration, commitment, vigilance, respect and honesty.

Objectives:
1. To prevent, protect against, control and provide public health response
to the international spread of disease and public risks with no
interference to international traffic and trade.
2. To address all medical conditions irrespective of origin or source that
could present significant harm to human and international health.
3. To provide technical and a quick, efficient, accurate collection and
dissemination of information in international public health.

Applicability of IHR2005/EPHI
Output:
1. Standards, recommended practices and guidance material
2. Coordination of public health activities
3. Safety oversight of public health
4. Implementation

THE WORKINGS OF THE SOP

Defines the specification for physical and uniform application of processes to
employ in the detection, containment and prevention of the spread of any health
risk, in the event of such risk arriving at the airport.
 The SOP STRUCTURE
 The detection/ notification of health risk
 Activation of protocol to address detection and containment
 Identification of appropriate logistics
 Carry out recommended practices for isolation and control
 Disinfect aircraft and ambulance
 EPHI/Notify IHR Focal Person

Before the arrival of the Aircraft

The (Port) Health Screening Officer at BIA is informed of a health risk on board by
the ATC or airline operator

 Mobilize more staff and identify evacuation routes immediately

 Notify all stakeholders to standby
 Ensure lines and routes of exit of the passengers from the plane allow
for the observation of individual travellers
 Should symptoms be evident, complete the screening form
 Alert security.
 Alert other staff and tarmac workers to limit their presence in the
holding areas to minimum
Managing Passengers at the Airport
 Move passengers disembarking the plane through guided passages
that allow observation by Port Health Screening officers
 Maintain active radio (telephone) contact with ambulance service and
Airport Clinic to expedite evacuation/isolation of the suspected case(s)

Managing Passengers on the Tarmac

 Ensure Security Officers are in this area to supplement the extraction
of the close-contact passengers for completion of the passenger
locator form and physical observation and to evacuate uncooperative
travellers
 Send suspected health risk to safe and secure holding area with
capacity for temporary isolation at the airport through designated gate
(5)

Screen / Triage Individuals - 1

1. Take temperature of all travellers using Thermal scanners or non-contact
thermometers
o
2. If temperature is below 38.0 C collect health declaration form and
allow passenger to proceed to immigration
o
3. If temperature is 38.0 C and above or traveller indicates fever and
other symptoms suggestive of health risk, direct traveller to the
holding area and interview traveller while awaiting the arrival of the
ambulance.

Screen / Triage Individuals - 2

1. Conduct interview from a respectful distance of at least 1 metre; No
extra personal protective equipment is required when interviewing the
suspected case if this distance is maintained. Should the officer wish to
wear gloves, that is acceptable
2. If the traveller is coughing, sneezing, or having fever wear PPE (gown,
gloves, mask, or face shield) and move patient immediately to the
health facility

Interview the passenger

 Ask about these symptoms: fever, cough sneezing, difficulty in
breathing, headaches, pneumonia, etc.
 Ask about these exposures:
  The travel history
 Close contacts over the last couple of days.

Determine if the traveller has possible COVID-19

 If the traveller has symptoms and exposure suggestive of COVID-19 or
does not meet these criteria, but the staff remains suspicious of the
disease, refer traveller to the health facility.
 If the traveller had active coughing, sneezing or difficulty in breathing,
provide him with a nose mask and separate him from any persons.
You can place a chair, tape, or other object to block access to the
soiled area.
 Immediately call for ambulated service and refer him to the designated
hospital

CHECK WITH DESIGNATED HOSPITAL

 Communicate with the Designated Hospital to ensure suspected case
has been handed over to the facility
Conduct Disinfection
 Move into Aircraft and carry out thorough disinfection.
 Effectively isolate the aircraft for 2-5 hours.
 Carry out appropriate disinfections in the passenger holdings
immediately it becomes vacant.
 Use hydrogen peroxide–based disinfectants containing additives such
as surfactants and chelators for excellent results.
 Also, Ethanol has been found to be an effective and suitable
disinfectant for aircraft.
 Wash hands thoroughly after disinfection and close all holdings of the
aircraft.
 Immediately after wash your hands with soap and water, or clean your
hands with alcohol-based hand rub, or chlorine solution 0.05%.
RE-INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT
 Depending on the type of case on board, the aircraft should be
grounded for 6 hours.
  After a minimum of six hours re-inspect the passenger holding and
supervise cleaning and sanitation of the aircraft.
 Re-inspect the aircraft and permit it to begin operations.
Notification and Reporting
 Notify and report immediately all suspected cases to the IHR Focal
Point, Relevant surveillance authorities (EPHI) including the Regional
State Health Directorate
 Report weekly using Point of Entry summary report form to the IHR
Focal Point, EPHI including the Local Health Directorate

2) Treatment of Ill Passenger(s)

 The response to ill or exposed passengers and flight crew on the
aircraft depends on the initial determinations and diagnosis of those
assessing the ill person(s). The following “if-then” conditional
statements outline how the passengers and flight crew should be
managed:
1. If the ill person is assessed and is suspected of having a non-
quarantinable illness (e.g., COVID-19) that could pose a threat to
other people on the aircraft or in the community then:
 The ill person shall be isolated and provided a surgical mask if
available, or tissues, if the person can tolerate wearing one. If they
cannot wear a surgical mask, they will be instructed to practice
respiratory/cough etiquette and to practice good hand hygiene.
 The ill person shall be transported under appropriate isolation
measures to a local hospital.
 Health alert notices about the disease may be distributed to the
passengers and flight crew.
 All people who may have been exposed to the ill person shall be
identified, and contact information for each will be collected.
 Other responders and the designated healthcare facility will be alerted
to apply appropriate precautions (e.g., PPE).
 Quarantine plans for the exposed passengers and flight crew will be
implemented.
 Notifications will be made to EPHI Headquarters, healthcare facilities,
and state and local health departments.
 An order for quarantine will be issued by EPHI.
 State and local support organizations shall be alerted.
 Appropriate agencies will coordinate IC/UC, ensuring consistency and
accuracy in communication on the case.
 The ill person shall be isolated from others and provided a mask if
available, or tissues, if this has not been done already and if the
person does not have breathing difficulties.
 Other responders and designated healthcare facilities will be alerted to
apply appropriate precautions, including PPE.
 Carry out appropriate disinfections after evacuation of the passenger

 Practice Hand Hygiene (Wash hands thoroughly) after disinfection.