Imagine a scenario: a fellow passenger on your flight falls ill. Later, it’s discovered they were infected with a serious contagious disease and were contagious during the flight. Are you at risk? If exposed, how can you safeguard your health?
Initiating Contact Investigations
Contact investigations typically commence with a call to a CDC Port Health Station at a U.S. international airport. A public health official informs the CDC about a recently diagnosed air traveler with a contagious disease. Sometimes, notifications occur while the plane is airborne or shortly after landing. Often, notifications come when a sick traveler seeks medical treatment post-travel. This individual becomes the “index patient.”
The CDC is alerted because other passengers on the same international or connecting domestic flights may have been exposed and require notification. Alternatively, international partners may inform the CDC about exposed U.S. passengers on overseas flights. These exposed passengers are termed “contacts.”
Coordination of Investigations
CDC oversees contact investigations for illnesses stemming from arriving international flights or flights between states. A single infected traveler can prompt multiple investigations if they take connecting flights within the U.S.
Understanding Contagiousness
Port health officers ascertain whether the index patient was contagious during the flight based on the disease, symptom history, and flight date.
Commencing Investigation
If the index patient was contagious during the flight, nearby passengers may have been exposed. CDC initiates a contact investigation to locate these passengers.
Utilizing Manifest Data
CDC requests flight manifest data for passengers seated near the index patient to identify potential contacts. This document contains passengers’ names, seat numbers, and contact details, which CDC safeguards for privacy.
Diseases of Concern
Most investigations focus on tuberculosis (TB), measles, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), and meningococcal disease (meningitis).
Seating Protocols
CDC employs protocols to identify exposed passengers based on diseases, transmission modes, and seating proximity to the index patient.
Contact Identification
Passengers seated in designated contact zones are considered at risk and notified accordingly.
Exceptions
Certain passengers, such as traveling companions of the index patient and infants under 2 seated on adult laps during measles and rubella flights, are considered contacts regardless of seating location.
Ensuring Accuracy of Information
Flight manifest contact details may be incomplete. Providing accurate information to airlines during flight reservations facilitates effective communication in case of exposure.
Collaboration and Privacy
CDC collaborates with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and airlines to locate exposed passengers while protecting their privacy.
Health Protection Measures
Exposed passengers’ contact information is shared with relevant health authorities, who inform and advise them on potential risks and preventive measures.
Privacy Safeguards
CDC strictly limits access to index patient and contact information for public health purposes only, ensuring privacy protection.
