Risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on international flights, a retrospective cohort study using national surveillance data in England.
BMC Infect Dis
; 24(1): 174, 2024 Feb 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38326781
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
It is not yet fully understood to what extent in-flight transmission contributed to the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to determine the occurrence and extent of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in-flight and assess factors associated with transmission risk to inform future control strategies.METHODS:
Retrospective cohort study using data obtained from contact tracing of international flights arriving in England between 02/08/2021-15/10/2021. Transmission risk was estimated by calculating the secondary attack rate (SAR). Univariable and multivariable analyses of the SAR by specific risk factors was undertaken, including number of in-flight index cases; number of symptomatic index cases; contact vaccination status; flight duration; proximity to the index case(s); contact age.RESULTS:
11,307 index cases linked to 667,849 contacts with 5,289 secondary cases reported. In-flight SAR was 0.79% (95% CI 0.77-0.81). Increasing numbers of symptomatic cases (when > 4 index cases compared to one index case aOR 1.85; 95% CI 1.40-2.44) and seating proximity to an index case (seated within compared to outside of two rows OR 1.82; 95% CI 1.50-2.22) were associated with increased risk of secondary cases. Full vaccination history was protective (aOR 0.52; 95% CI 0.47-0.57).CONCLUSIONS:
This study confirms that in-flight transmission of SARS-CoV-2 occurred. There are factors associated with increased risk of infection. Contact tracing identified exposed persons who subsequently developed infection. A targeted approach to contact tracing passengers with the highest exposure risk could be an effective use of limited public health resources.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Contexto em Saúde:
2_ODS3
/
4_TD
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Infect Dis
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article