Abstract:
Several issues and questions are associated with transmission of disease during air travel: 1. Widespread geographic movement of infected individuals to new communities, 2. Spread of disease to fellow passengers during the flight, 3. The types of pathogens primarily associated with disease transmission on airplanes, 4. Understanding the level of risk associated with air flight, and 5. Implementing sound and effective policies to prevent disease transmission during air travel. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is an approach that can be used to address these issues. QMRA as an integrated science is expanding and following a National Academies’ approach. It is now possible to address the hazards and model exposures and, via a dose–response relationship, characterize the risk to a greater confidence level than was previously possible.
