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Back in August when the first noted case of Ebola was discovered, all airlines were issued “to treat all fluids of any passenger as an infectious disease” as we have the protective equipment on board and protocols to follow to protect passengers from further exposure to such harmful and potentially deadly substances.
Fast forward to today when a health care provider in Dallas has been tested positive for the disease, even when they followed all protocols in treating the patient with Ebola.
When planning a trip overseas, even if you are visiting the European continent, you maybe questioning whether or not to continue with your travel itinerary, given the recent outbreak of this deadly disease. Let’s review some facts.
Chances that you will be exposed to this deadly disease is very small unless you are traveling to the West Africa continent.
Countries to avoid: Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria or Sierra Leone
Airports are monitoring any travelers who have been to the West African continent within the last few months. Passport control is reviewing very closely passports to be sure the passenger is truthful in answering questions about their past travel and countries visited.
Health Facts/Symptoms
Ebola is contagious only if the person has symptoms
Ebola is spread only through close contact with bodily fluids, not through the air.
If exposed, it takes 21 days before the person would show symptoms
Discussion
As an airline crew member, I do not know what else the U.S. can do to avoid this potential epidemic other than to try to develop enough inoculations to combat this dangerous disease. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) I believe are doing whatever they can to control any further outbreak and to identify any and all possible persons who have been exposed.
What concerns me is the 21 days incubation period when an infected person does not manifest any symptoms. The CDC states such a person would not be contagious until they showed symptoms. I understand the “bodily” fluids exposure and it is not airborne, but if someone coughs or sneezes in the cabin that is fluid being expelled potentially exposing all passengers. Also, the CDC states that the virus can remain potent for hours or even days. I translate that to mean, the virus can live on the passenger seat as well as walls or innocuous areas in the lavatory. Cleaning protocols for the airlines is very fastidious for lavatories, galleys etc. However, I question the cleaning protocols for seats/flooring/cabin walls.
The bottom line is that chances are miniscule that any of us would be exposed or get this deadly virus. However, I keep wondering why Air France and British Air cancelled all their flights to the West African continent last August? Do they know more about this deadly virus than we are being led to believe?
Whatever your decision, I felt it my duty to you to share as a crew member what many of us are feeling behind the scenes! If traveling do what we as crew members do: bring those antibacterial wipes and even a medical mask to keep handy just in case you are sitting by someone who is coughing or has a common cold!
Please let me know your thoughts!
Happy Travels!
