Genomic Evidence of In-Flight SARS-CoV-2 Transmission, India to Australia, April 2021

Hogarth, Freya; Coffey, Pasqualina; Goddard, Laura; Lewis, Sarah J.; Labib, Shereen; Wilmot, Mathilda; Andersson, Patiyan; Sherry, Norelle L; Seemann, Torsten; Howden, Benjamin P; Freeman, Kevin B.; Baird, Robert; Hosegood, Ian; McDermott, Kathleen B.; Walsh, Nick; Polkinghorne, Ben; Marshall, Catherine; Davies, Jane C.; Krause, Vicki; Meumann, Ella M.

doi:10.3201/eid2807.212466

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Our investigation found multiple types of SARS-CoV-2, with > 4 types of lineages, including those not previously reported in Japan, in the Japanese wrestling team after participating in international tournaments in Kazakhstan. Although air travel is a possible source of infection ( 2 ), we suggest transmission likely occurred during the matches. We base our conclusion on the observation of a higher attack rate in the wrestlers (23%), who followed strict precautionary measures, compared with the sparring partners (0/6, 0%), whose activities were very similar to those of the wrestlers except that they did not directly participate in matches.…”

mentioning

confidence: 82%

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wrestlers after International Tournaments, April 2021

Kuribayashi,

Kasamatsu,

Ikenoue

et al. 2023

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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mentioning

confidence: 82%

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wrestlers after International Tournaments, April 2021

Kuribayashi,

Kasamatsu,

Ikenoue

et al. 2023

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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“…Genomic evidence of in-flight transmission of COVID-19 has been shown in six studies [54][55][56][57][58][59]. On 1 July 2020, a 354-seat aircraft departed Dubai and landed in Perth Australia after a 10-h flight [59].…”

Section: Sars-cov-2mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, face masks alone may not be sufficient to prevent transmission [ 78 ] . Despite mandatory mask use and pre-departure testing on two flights, four passengers transmitted SARS-CoV-2 infection to at least 21 (6%) of the 345 passengers [ 58 ]. Hence, multiple measures may be needed.…”

Section: Prevention Strategies For Athletes During Air Travelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contraction of Respiratory Viral Infection During air Travel: An Under-Recognized Health Risk for Athletes

Ruuskanen,

Dollner,

Luoto

et al. 2024

Sports Med - Open

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Air travel has an important role in the spread of viral acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Aircraft offer an ideal setting for the transmission of ARI because of a closed environment, crowded conditions, and close-contact setting. Numerous studies have shown that influenza and COVID-19 spread readily in an aircraft with one virus-positive symptomatic or asymptomatic index case. The numbers of secondary cases differ markedly in different studies most probably because of the wide variation of the infectiousness of the infector as well as the susceptibility of the infectees. The primary risk factor is sitting within two rows of an infectious passenger. Elite athletes travel frequently and are thus prone to contracting an ARI during travel. It is anecdotally known in the sport and exercise medicine community that athletes often contract ARI during air travel. The degree to which athletes are infected in an aircraft by respiratory viruses is unclear. Two recent studies suggest that 8% of Team Finland members traveling to major winter sports events contracted the common cold most probably during air travel. Further prospective clinical studies with viral diagnostics are needed to understand the transmission dynamics and to develop effective and socially acceptable preventive measures during air travel.

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“…WGS detected 3 variants Kappa, Alpha, and Delta [ 52 ] April 2021 India Australia 47 cases aboard 2 flights carrying 345 passengers; 14% of arrival cases symptomatic Based on analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomic clusters, transmission occurred despite mandatory mask wearing and pre-departure testing. Pre-departure quarantine and enhanced pre-departure testing were implemented for subsequent flights [ 53 •] April–June 2021 International Spain 196 PCR-confirmed among 45,211 travelers initially tested by rapid antigen on arrival to Madrid international airport Most cases came from Colombia (114), followed by the Dominican Republic (30) and Peru (12). WGS identified B.1.621 (Mu) to be the most frequently occurring variant, but others were also found, including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.…”

Section: Travel-related Transmission Of Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Travel in the Time of COVID: A Review of International Travel Health in a Global Pandemic

Flaherty

Hamer

Chen

2022

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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Purpose of Review This review critically considers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global travel and the practice of travel medicine, highlights key innovations that have facilitated the resumption of travel, and anticipates how travel medicine providers should prepare for the future of international travel. Recent Findings Since asymptomatic transmission of the virus was first recognized in March 2020, extensive efforts have been made to characterize the pattern and dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission aboard commercial aircraft, cruise ships, rail and bus transport, and in mass gatherings and quarantine facilities. Despite the negative impact of further waves of COVID-19 driven by the more transmissible Omicron variant, rapid increases of international tourist arrivals are occurring and modeling anticipates further growth. Mitigation of spread requires an integrated approach that combines masking, physical distancing, improving ventilation, testing, and quarantine. Vaccines and therapeutics have played a significant role in reopening society and accelerating the resumption of travel and further therapeutic innovation is likely. Summary COVID-19 is likely to persist as an endemic infection, and surveillance will assume an even more important role. The pandemic has provided an impetus to advance technology for telemedicine, to adopt mobile devices and GPS in contact tracing, and to apply digital applications in research. The future of travel medicine should continue to harness these novel platforms in the clinical, research, and educational arenas.

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Genomic Evidence of In-Flight SARS-CoV-2 Transmission, India to Australia, April 2021

Abstract: Her research focuses on viral genomic evolution and its association with outbreaks and severe disease. References

Cited by 6 publications

References 6 publications

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wrestlers after International Tournaments, April 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Wrestlers after International Tournaments, April 2021

Contraction of Respiratory Viral Infection During air Travel: An Under-Recognized Health Risk for Athletes

Travel in the Time of COVID: A Review of International Travel Health in a Global Pandemic

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