Africa Knowledge Management Portal
Informing health decisions and actions
Tuberculosis and air travel Guidelines for prevention and control
Global Health Security Capacities
Communicable Diseases
Description
International travel has become increasingly easy and readily available. Ever greater numbers of people are using international air travel for many reasons including business, tourism, immigration, asylum seeking or humanitarian activities. There is a potential risk of transmission of tuberculosis (TB) and some other airborne or droplet-spread diseases on board commercial aircraft, particularly during long flights. Infections and in some instances outbreaks following exposure during a flight have been documented. Potential exposure to serious infectious diseases on commercial aircraft is of concern for passengers, crew and public health officials.