TravelMole
Blog

Airline staff on alert over pneumonia

Wednesday, 19 March 20033 min read

UK: British Airways workers told to be extra vigilant with incoming passengers

Airline staff around the world have been put on alert because of the mystery lung disease that appears to be spreading from country to country.

As reported by News From Abroad, 10 people are now thought to have been killed by severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, with the World Health Organisation warning that the outbreak could become a “worldwide health threat”.

Thai Airways has confirmed that it is to provide masks for staff and passengers flying in and out of affected areas, while other airlines are using antibacterial sprays to disinfect their aircraft and even turning passengers away at check-in if they display flu-like symptoms.

British Airways staff have been told to be extra careful with incoming passengers, and to look for signs of illness. A spokesman said: “We are following World Health Organisation guidelines and we are aware that this condition can be spread by travel.”