The Hindu : Steps on to fight SARS, says IATA

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 25, 2003

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Steps on to fight SARS, says IATA

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI April 24. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) which gathered the world's airlines with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Bangkok on Wednesday to work out plans to combat the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) said "its impact has been devastating" and the industry was "completely engaged with the WHO to do whatever is necessary to fight" its spread. "This is our number one priority."

The WHO told the IATA that SARS was transmitted by droplets through person-to-person contact, not through air, and that it was communicable only after symptoms of the disease appear. The screening procedures being implemented for passengers at airports were effective. The IATA said that of the 200 million people who had travelled by aircraft since the beginning of this crisis, there had been less than five cases of possible transmission in the cabin and these occurred before screening procedures were put in place. Now, with screening being intensified and questioning of passengers and body temperature checks, "air travel is being made even safer".

Speaking on how the industry deals with security, the IATA Corporate Secretary, Kevin Dobby, who heads the SARS task force, said: "It is the same principle as our approach to fighting terrorism. If we can stop people with symptoms of SARS from boarding we are maintaining a safe environment for passengers and stopping the geographic spread of the disease at the same time.''

The participating airlines have drawn up further plans to help combat SARS, including passenger handling, aircraft cleaning, maintenance and in-flight service.

"Our goal is to do the maximum needed to protect our passengers and employees. ," said Mr. Dobby.

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