In a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health , researchers in the United States (U.S.) conducted a systematic review to determine the factors involved in the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within flights.
Systematic Review: The Risk of Aircraft-Acquired SARS-CoV-2 Transmission during Commercial Flights: A Systematic Review . Image Credit: Lek in a BIG WORLD / Shutterstock The rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 across the globe and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were greatly facilitated by infected individuals moving across various continents through air travel. The strict disease mitigation measures included restricting air travel and closing all modes of long-distance travel in some countries.
Naturally, these measures resulted in significant losses in airline and tourism-associated revenues, with many governments having to provide wage subsidies and monetary aid to help the aviation industry. Although global travel and tourism have now returned to close to pre-pandemic levels, the continued emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants poses the risk of a resurgence of severe COVID-19. The U.
S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that the transmission of the virus increases in places where individuals are enclosed and follow minimal distancing, which are conditions typical of an aircraft. Therefore, it is essential to understand the factors contr.
