Air transport is a key challenge for

preventing international spread of

health risks

INCREASING TRANSPORT
of passengers and cargo

RAPID AIR TRANSPORT

l imited time for risk assessment
quick international dissemination
of diseases

NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR

INTERACTIONS between travellers,
the public and airport workers

A need for a balanced response to garantee

Unnecessary interference
Public Health
with international travel
protection
and transport

International Health Regulations IHR

Public health and aviation sectors, together with other
stakeholders have to manage public health events in
air transport to avoid international spread of diseases. 2005
 Detect & manage PUBLIC HEALTH EVENTS during air transport
EVENT DETECTION at potential EVENT VERIFICATION
1 2
STEP STEP

points of public health hazards & PRELIMINARY

RISK ASSESSMENT

CONFIRM occurrence of event

• Detection at point of origin • During the boarding • During flight • Upon arrival or • At destination & collect information
- Identification of suspected cases process - P ublic health during transit - Medical care of
- According to WHO recommenda- - Health procedures - Epidemiological investigation affected persons
tions, infected persons might be assessment for cabin crew - Passenger Locator Forms - Health assessment
advised to delay their travel - Screening "Health part of the Aircraft - Contact tracing
General Declaration"

PUBLIC HEALTH IMMEDIATE

5 4 3
STEP STEP STEP

RESPONSE RISK ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS

• Social • Health declarations,
mobilisation health assessment • Event overview
• Hygiene & & medical care,
quarantine & isolation, • Impact assessment
sanitation
vaccination • Containment capability
A rapid risk • Information sharing • Medical evacuation
• Contact tracing assessment may with stakeholders • Aircraft diversion
be required • Cleaning & disinfection and parking
• Assessment & medical care

C O M M UN I C A T I ON - M ON I TO R I NG
WHO provides State Parties with guidance to manage public
health events in air transport: to better prevent spread of
diseases, and to assist them in operating procedures and
implementation of health measures.
This guidance is a "toolbox" from which countries can select
the most relevant elements to address their own needs.

To download the complete guidance including the guide

“Handbook for the management
of public health events in air transport”
www.who.int/ihr/publications/ports_airports/en/

©World Health Organization, 2015 - All rights reserved - Panacee creation

For more information
www.who.int/ihr/en/
E-mail: ihrpag@who.int

Co-funded by the European Union

(Contribution Agreement IFS/2013/321215: Strengthening
Health Security at Ports, Airports and Ground crossings)

World Health Organization

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