Study Links Air Travel, Flu Spread

Home > Science, Travel

Study Links Air Travel, Flu Spread

Wednesday, September 13th, 2006 | Science, Travel |

Scientists have found what they call the first real evidence that restricting air travel can delay the spread of flu — a finding that could influence government plans for battling the next influenza pandemic.

Air travel has long been suspected of playing a role in flu’s gradual spread around the globe each year, but yesterday, Boston researchers said they finally have documented it: The drop in air travel after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks seemed to delay that winter’s flu season by about two weeks.

“This is the first time that a study has been able to show a direct link between the numbers of people traveling and the rate of spread of a virus,” said John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Children’s Hospital of Boston, who led the research.

I haven’t read the study, but I tend to believe it based on the number of times I’ve gotten sick immediately after flying.

No comments yet.