Non–SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Viruses in Athletes at Major Winter Sport Events, 2021 and 2022

Valtonen, Maarit; Waris, Matti; Luoto, Raakel; Mjøsund, Katja; Kaikkonen, Mira; Heinonen, Olli J.; Ruuskanen, Olli

doi:10.3201/eid2810.220478

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The universal wearing of masks, school and restaurant closures, travel restrictions, a ban on mass gatherings, and other physical exclusion measures also dramatically reduced the occurrence of non-COVID respiratory viral infections in the community, especially influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections [72]. Due to the public health preventive measures, personal countermeasures, and traveling by chartered flights, travelassociated respiratory viral infections were observed to have dropped to 3% in Team Finland upon arrival at the 2021 World Ski Championships and the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games; this was a much lower percentage when compared to the 8% and 15% in our two earlier corresponding studies [66][67][68].…”

Section: Prevention Strategies For Athletes During Air Travelmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Only six cases of symptomatic ARI were found. Five non-SARS-CoV-2 infections were detected at the site caused by rhinoviruses (2), respiratory syncytial virus (1), metapneumovirus (1), and coronavirus 229E (1) [ 68 ]. All infections were identified within three days after arrival suggesting possible contraction during air travel, and in any case being infectious onboard.…”

Section: Respiratory Viral Infections In Athletes Associated With Air...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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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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