Ebola Outbreak + Air Travel: Are You Safe Flying Abroad?

After reading any headline this week or simply watching your nightly news, you may feel weary of flying internationally. Being surrounded by many strangers in a capsule thousands of feel up in the sky sounds like a breeding ground for the dreaded virus we have all been hearing and talking about.

While many common viruses such as the flu or even a simple cold can be transmitted during plane rides, the concern of the nation today is this: can we feel safe flying without the fear of contracting Ebola.

How Ebola is transmitted

Ebola can be transmitted several ways. These mainly include

• Blood or body fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, and other bodily fluids) of a person who is showing Ebola symptoms
• Infected objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus
• Infected animals whether ingested or in direct contact with
• Ebola is not spread through the air or by water, or in general, by food. However, in Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus. Only mammals (for example, humans, bats, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus

Ebola Symptoms

Dr. James Kazura, Director, Center for Global Health and Disease, has said that it is highly unlikely Ebola can survive outside a host for more than a few seconds, or a few minutes at best. He has stated that walking through an airport, drinking water, and being in the general vicinity with no contact or exchange of fluids or mucus leave almost no chance of contracting the virus.

Some of the symptoms of Ebola include:

• Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal (stomach) pain
• Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

While scientists are telling us as much as they can, a poll taken by 1,577 Americans states that 80% of those people were highly worried about the Ebola outbreak, and that 45% would avoid flying abroad, USA Today stated yesterday. However, 80% of North American companies polled stated that this fear has either not affected, or affected very little their travels. Of companies doing business in Ebola hot zones, 52% have stated that they were restricting trips. The other 48% stated they were taking extra precautions to educate their traveling employees on how to protect themselves. Delta Airlines affirmed that they had not seen a dip in bookings due to the virus, according to USA Today. However, Reuters reported U.S. Airline stock tumbled again on Wednesday the 15^th due to renewed fears in drop-off in air travel.

The CDC has admitted recently that it does not know as much as we thought about how the Ebola outbreak is spreading. This comes as a huge concern for travelers worldwide.

Safety Precautions Taken by Airlines and Airports

President Obama stated that closing the borders and restricting travel would prove less effective than the current safety measures airlines are taking in Ebola hot zones. These precautions include taking temperatures, and monitoring people before, during, and upon arrival on U.S. soil.

Hopefully time will tell and as more developments come to us from the CDC about Ebola, we will be either able to appease our fears and remain clam, or find an effective course of action to protect ourselves from this potentially deadly virus.