Times: Another danger of flying lies not in air but food

The Times
March 11, 2005

Another danger of flying lies not in air but food
By Nigel Hawkes, Health Editor

AIRLINE passengers are not at significant risk from germs circulating around
the cabin, a new study has shown. Statistically, food poisoning is a much
greater risk.

Normally the air inside a cabin is exchanged between 15 and 20 times an
hour, compared with 12 times an hour for a typical office building, Dr Mark
Gendreau and Dr Alexandra Mangilis write in The Lancet. One air exchange
removes 63 per cent of airborne organisms. Most aircraft pass recirculated
air through high-efficiency air filters that remove dust, bacteria, fungi
and tiny liquid droplets containing viruses. There have been two reported
cases of tuberculosis spread on planes, two of influenza, three of measles
and four of Sars.

However, a total of 41 in-flight outbreaks of food poisoning had resulting
in 11 deaths being documented between 1947 and 1999, with salmonella
poisoning being the most common reason. The organism caused 15 recorded
outbreaks between 1947 and 1999, affecting nearly 4,000 passengers and
killing seven. Eight food-borne outbreaks caused by the Staphylococcus
bacteria and one associated death were reported over the same period.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...520753,00.html

sufaud wrote:

However, a total of 41 in-flight outbreaks of food poisoning had resulting
in 11 deaths being documented between 1947 and 1999, with salmonella
poisoning being the most common reason. The organism caused 15 recorded
outbreaks between 1947 and 1999, affecting nearly 4,000 passengers and
killing seven. Eight food-borne outbreaks caused by the Staphylococcus
bacteria and one associated death were reported over the same period.


Dammit! Everyone knows that the airlines are responsible for basic food handling
education in this country. By cutting back of catered meals, they've forced the
poor passengers into bring their own egg salad sandwiches on board with no
refrigeration. Who could possibly expect the passengers to know better?

"sufaud" wrote in message
...
The Times
March 11, 2005

Another danger of flying lies not in air but food
By Nigel Hawkes, Health Editor

AIRLINE passengers are not at significant risk from germs circulating
around
the cabin, a new study has shown. Statistically, food poisoning is a much
greater risk.

snip

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...520753,00.html

41 total recorded deaths over a 52-year period? And hundreds of thousands
of passengers (and crews) fly every single day? This is a non-issue IMHO,
if that's what they call a much greater risk.

Normally the air inside a cabin is exchanged between 15 and 20 times
an hour, compared with 12 times an hour for a typical office building,

But in an office building I can move away from some weasel who is
coughing (obviously sick) in all directions without even bothering to
cover his mouth. In a plane you are stuck with your seat. I've gotten
sick twice that way.


Pete