The figures in the headline refer to the number of passengers who have been exit screened for the Ebola virus in the past two months in the three main affected West African countries: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Of the 77 denied boarding, none were subsequently found to have Ebola.

 

Yet at least one passenger, so far, is known to have brought the virus (pictured) to the US from Liberia by air. Rising public concern about the deadly virus [which has a death rate of almost 50% in Africa] has led to US and UK authorities implementing arrival screening of passengers who have travelled directly or indirectly from affected African countries. Screening at London Heathrow began today.

 

The aviation industry is concerned, however, that these responses may not be thought through. Today airports association, ACI Europe called for “urgent coordination between health authorities at EU level” in the midst of what it describes as “an evolving array of national responses in Europe”.

 

The airport group says: “Such coordination should involve clear and unequivocal communication of risk assessment as regards the possible spread of the virus in Europe. This is what the public – in particular air passengers – expect. This is also what is needed to allay any unreasonable fear and avoid inefficient measures.”

 

RESERVATIONS ABOUT ARRIVAL SCREENING

Both the WHO (World Health Organization) and the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control) have expressed reservations about the effectiveness of temperature screening of passengers on arrival.

 

Conversely, both organisations support exit screening of departing passengers – which began at airports in the three main affected African countries two months ago. However, even this process, the ECDC admitted to TRBusiness earlier this month, will not pick up cases where there are no current symptoms.

 

‘INEFFICIENT PATCHWORK’

Olivier Jankovec (right), Director General, ACI Euope comments: “Health security is paramount and we trust that in their meeting later this week, health ministers will ensure that actions are properly thought through and fully coordinated across Europe and beyond.

 

“Otherwise, we risk ending up with an inefficient patchwork of measures, with negative implications for passengers and airport operations – for an unspecified period of time and with no guarantee of success.”

He adds: “A clear, efficient and fully coordinated response at EU level is the way forward. Europe’s airports support a dual approach: 1. Supporting efforts to contain and eradicate the virus at source, and 2. Communicating effectively to the public the measures that are being put in place and what they need to do, to play their part and stay safe.”