AIR TRAVEL AND DISEASE

Chronicle (Levin), 10 June 1946, Page 2

AIR TRAVEL AND DISEASE

; As air travel has decreased the time taken to go from oue eountry to another, it has raised new problems in the control of disease. In most cases the time taken by a sea voyage, being louger than the normal ineubation period of disease, is an important barrier to the importation of human cases f roni places like the Far East, but the faster travel reduces the possibility of the disease becoming evident before the traveller arrives. An example recently quoted by the Lancet is that of smallpox. The sea vovage from the Far East to Britain is louger than the 10 to 12 days' ineubation- period, -and an .... jnf »ers9% would develop the disease during the voyage. Suitable quarantine measures vould then be taken. Air travel would enable the passenger to arrive in Britain in two days, and there would be no adequate check on possible infection. The danger of travellers earrving diseases into New Zealand in this way has been reeoguised, savs the New Zealand Herakt, and preeautions similar to those in foree in Britain are used. Passengers are examined by the port health authorities and presented with cards advising tliem to seek medical attention if they Iiave any signs of illness within 14 days. Tliey are asked to advise the doetor of the circumstances, and he in tuni is asked to advise the health authorities. No cases of infectious diseases having been introduced into New Zealand by air travellers have yet been brought to the notice of the authorities.