TRR: Germs on a Plane: The Transmission and Risks of Airplane-Borne Diseases

This 2018 study published in TRB's journal, Transportation Research Record, examined infectious diseases, specifically severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1, Ebola, and pneumonic plague, but it is worth a new look in light of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. "Germs on a Plane: The Transmission and Risks of Airplane-Borne Diseases," by Nereyda L. Sevilla of George Washington University is one of the most read TRR articles of the past 6 months.

To contain the spread of infectious diseases, aviation and public health authorities should establish tailored preventive measures at airports, capture contact information for ticketed passengers, expand the definition of “close contact,” and conduct widespread educational programs. The measures will put in place a foundation for containing the spread of infectious diseases via air travel and minimize the panic and economic consequences that may occur during an outbreak.