Measles fears are mounting after several infected travelers passed through airports on both coasts, leading one expert to warn against air travel as the disease potentially spreads in the US.
The most recent scare came on Tuesday, when officials warned that a passenger who later tested positive for measles arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on March 5 aboard a China Airlines flight.
The patient is the second to arrive in LA and test positive for the highly contagious respiratory illness. The first, an infant, landed at LAX on a Korean Air flight from Seoul on February 19.
Also on March 5, a passenger arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport aboard an international flight tested positive for measles.
On March 3, health officials warned about a potential outbreak at New York’s JFK International Airport after a child on China Airlines flight tested positive.
Dr. Darin Detwiler, who previously served as a public health expert for the FDA, told DailyMail.com that with the ‘recent resurgence of measles – a disease so contagious that 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed will contract it – air travel has become an increasingly risky endeavor.’
Along with measles, Dr. Detwiler said influenza, norovirus (the stomach flu), COVID-19 and the cold virus RSV are other ‘infectious threats lurking in crowded terminals and cramped cabins’.
While he says there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of exposure while traveling, some smart habits can drastically reduce the threat.
Here he reveals his top tips for reducing the risk of infection, from the beginning to the end of your trip:
Airports on both sides of the US have signaled red alerts over possible measles outbreaks as the deadly virus takes hold across the country
Before you arrive at the airport
Your exposure to germs begins long before you step into the terminal, Dr. Detwiler noted.
‘Rideshares, taxis, and airport shuttles can be incubators for illness, often lacking proper sanitation and ventilation between passengers,’ he explained.
In a bid to maximize your safety, he recommends disinfecting high-touch surfaces – such as seatbelt buckles, door handles and touchscreen TVs – with a hand sanitizer gel or wipes.
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Cracking the window open in vehicles can also help to ‘improve airflow and reduce airborne virus concentration.’
Meanwhile, Dr. Detwiler recommends keeping your hands away from your face as your eyes, nose, and mouth are direct entry points for pathogens.
Moving through security
Security checkpoints are some of the dirtiest areas in an airport, Dr. Detwiler warned.
‘Much like old days when public pay phones were the most handled (and contaminated) surfaces, today those plastic security bins harbor more respiratory viruses than public toilets,’ he said.
To prevent the spread of germs, he recommends using hand sanitizer immediately after touching security bins, conveyor belts, or fingerprint scanners.
He also advises carrying a paper boarding pass or use mobile check-in to avoid using touch-screen monitors.
If you want to take safety protocols up a notch, Dr. Detwiler adds: ‘You could consider wearing disposable gloves, but remember to remove them safely and sanitize afterward.’
Dr Darin Detwiler previously served as a public health expert for the FDA specializing in foodborne illnesses
Navigating terminals
With thousands of travelers from all over the world passing through airports each day, Dr. Detwiler says terminals are high-risk areas for airborne illnesses like measles, flu, and RSV.
For this reason, the health expert says wearing a facemask is a good idea.
He recommends KN95 and N95 masks, as both are designed to filter out at least 95 percent of particles.
And if you don’t feel comfortable wearing it all the time, Dr. Detwiler still stresses that it is essential to where a mask in crowded areas to maximize safety, ‘particularly at security, near gate seating, and in restrooms’.
Other tips include maintaining your distance from anyone visibly ill (especially in boarding lines), using your phone instead of self-check-in kiosks and shared touch-screens, and staying hydrated.
‘Dry air suppresses your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection, so it’s best to keep a drink with you at all times,’ he explained.
Safely enjoying airport lounges
Dr. Detwiler says premium airport lounges may offer a quieter atmosphere, but they’re not immune from contamination, ‘especially when it comes to shared food stations and high-touch surfaces.’
He advises avoiding self-serve buffets and opting for packaged or made-to-order meals instead.
He also recommends disinfecting tables and seating areas before eating.
The bathrooms and shower facilities in airport lounges are also riddled with germs, so he always uses a napkin or paper towel to open bathroom doors and touch water faucets.
Boarding the plane and flying
Once on the plane, you’re in close quarters with potentially hundreds of people for several hours.
While Dr. Detwiler says an aircraft’s High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove 99.9 percent of airborne particles, including bacteria and viruses, the biggest risk is proximity to other passengers – especially those coughing or sneezing.
The former FDA employee, who is also an ardent traveler, says he always picks a window seat to reduce encounters with passing travelers.
He always keeps his air vent open and pointed directed slightly downward to ‘create an airflow barrier’.
Before taking his seat, he uses sanitizing wipes to clean high-touch areas, including the tray table, armrests, seatbelt buckle, and touchscreens.
One of Dr Detwiler’s biggest no-nos while flying is using the seatback pockets, because he says they are rarely disinfected and may harbor bacteria.
Arrival and post-flight precautions
Think you’re safe once you’ve landed? Think again, says Dr. Detwiler.
He reveals that the baggage claim area, customs, and ground transportation all present new risks.
Plus, ‘exhaustion can make you more vulnerable as you are less alert and it is easy to let your guard down’.
To keep your guard up, he recommends sanitizing your hands after collecting luggage, as your ‘bag has been tossed around and handled by multiple people, moving along on conveyor belts, trolleys, and cargo holds.’
He suggests keeping your mask on in customs and baggage claim as these areas are still crowded with travelers.
After returning home or arriving at a hotel, shower and change into clean clothes as soon as possible – especially after long-haul flights.
