Tuberculosis on the flight deck.

Abstract

Tuberculosis in commercial aircraft has been a concern since a 1995 incident of possible transmission from an active case of tuberculosis to passengers in the cabin of a 747. Subsequently, commercial air carriers have been vigilant in cooperating with public health authorities in tracking all known exposures to tuberculosis. In 1998, a pilot of a commercial airliner was diagnosed with active tuberculosis. Company records demonstrated that in the previous 6 mo, the pilot had flown with 48 other pilots. Every exposed pilot was contacted and evaluated by skin testing (IPPD) or chest x-ray if previously positive. There were no skin test conversions and no changes on x-rays. This study demonstrates that transmission of tuberculosis in the aircraft cabin environment, even under close and continuous exposure to an active case, is a rare event.

• Authors: A J Parmet
• Journal: Aviation, space, and environmental medicine (Aviat Space Environ Med) Vol. 70 Issue 8 Pg. 817-8 (Aug 1999) ISSN: 0095-6562 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10447057 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Tuberculin

Topics

• Aerospace Medicine
• Air Conditioning
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.
• Contact Tracing (methods)
• Humans
• Occupational Diseases (diagnosis, prevention & control)
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Time Factors
• Tuberculin
• Tuberculosis, Pulmonary (diagnosis, prevention & control, transmission)
• United States
• World Health Organization