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The battle to control the spread of SARS took an important step forward on
June 4 when the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed on
guidance for airports.
The guidelines were established at a meeting hosted
by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) with participants from
the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Air Transport Association
(IATA) as well as high ranking public health officials from Singapore.
Over the past two months, IATA has advocated standardized screening
procedures consistent with WHO guidelines at airports in regions affected
by SARS.
According to the June 4 ICAO
press release, “Upon request, ICAO can make available a team of experts to evaluate the implementation by airports
of the recommended measures, through the Organization’s Technical Cooperation
Bureau. If the evaluation confirms that an airport has taken all necessary
steps to protect against SARS, a “Statement of Evaluation” will
be issued, certifying that the airport fully complies with the recommended
SARS protective measures, jointly developed by ICAO and WHO.”
IATA
said it commends Singapore for its leadership in establishing this program.
Thermal screening of passengers for elevated temperatures was first introduced at Singapore’s Changi Airport. This and other measures taken
by Singapore have resulted in no new local transmissions in Singapore of
SARS over a twenty day period—the WHO requirement for removal from the WHO SARS
Affected Country list. Singapore was removed from the list on 31 May.
Air traffic in Asia Pacific has plummeted since the outbreak of
SARS. Recovery will be dependant upon rebuilding passenger confidence in air
travel and the continued overall reduction of operation costs. Since late
March when the WHO recommended SARS screening at airports there have been no
reported cases of inflight transmission of SARS. The ICAO evaluations will
go a long way towards further reassuring passengers of the safety of air
travel. |
