21 July 2009

Airlines, cruise companies monitor passengers for swine flu

LONDON Ã¢â¬' Peak summer holiday plans could be thrown into chaos amid reports that airlines and cruise companies in the UK are refusing to carry passengers showing signs of swine flu.

UK government advice to people issued on Sunday was not to travel home from abroad if they were suffering from the H1N1 virus and wait until the symptoms had gone.

British Airways and Virgin became the first airlines to monitor passengers at check-in and turn them away if they appeared to have the virus, according to newspaper reports.

Doctors condemned the policy as Ã¢â¬Åâœan absolute nonsenseÃ¢â¬~. They said they would not be able to identify everyone carrying the virus and that the process would be a drain on health workersÃ¢â¬â¢ time.

P&O Cruises reportedly said passengers were being given a medical questionnaire and would be assessed by the company's medical staff prior to boarding if they were a suspected sufferer. Anyone deemed unfit to travel would be turned away.

Shearings Holidays said coach travellers were being asked not to travel if they felt unwell. Antibacterial hand solution has been placed at pick up and drop off points to help prevent the spread of infection, the Daily Telegraph said.

British Airports Authority, Eurostar and P&O Ferries said they were not vetting customers but would respond to any official advice.

A BA spokesman was quoted as saying there had been a "very small number of cases" where people displaying symptoms had been advised not to travel.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœOur staff are trained on what to look out for if someone has swine flu or any other communicable disease.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe staff seek medical advice and anyone with swine flu would be advised they are unfit to travel. Even if they disagree with us we have the power to stop them going on board.Ã¢â¬~

Virgin Atlantic said people suffering from the condition and turned away would not be allowed back on board without a 'fit to fly' certificate from their doctor or a hospital. It had not yet had any cases.

by Phil Davies