Risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus transmission aboard commercial aircraft.
BACKGROUND
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was introduced to the United States through air travel. Although the risk of SARS-CoV transmission within aircraft cabins has been addressed by several studies, the magnitude of the risk remains unclear.


METHODS
We attempted to contact all persons with working US telephone numbers aboard seven US-bound flights carrying SARS patients. Consenting participants responded to a questionnaire, and a serum sample was collected at least 38 days after the flight and tested for SARS-CoV-associated antibodies. Participants reporting an illness compatible with SARS, with onset during the 2- to 10-day incubation period, were considered suspect cases; positive serology was required for confirmed cases.


RESULTS
Among 1,766 passengers and crew, 339 (19%) persons were contacted. Of these, 312 (92%) completed questionnaires, and blood was collected from 127 (37%). Serology was negative for all 127 participants, including three of four who met the clinical case criteria for SARS, and the fourth had a mild illness that lasted only 5 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Transmission of SARS-associated CoV was not observed, suggesting that the risk of transmission is not amplified aboard aircraft.
Vogt
Tara M
TM
Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MD G-37, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. tcv3@cdc.gov
Guerra
Marta A
MA
Flagg
Elaine W
EW
Ksiazek
Thomas G
TG
Lowther
Sara A
SA
Arguin
Paul M
PM
D000401:Aircraft; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D006801:Humans; D012306:Risk; D045473:Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / Q000276:immunology; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D014195:Travel; D014481:United States
D000914:Antibodies, Viral