Unite Guidance Note: Ebola and the Civil Aviation Sector
October 2014
Unite members have raised concerns about the possibility of contracting Ebola either on direct flights to and from Africa or connecting flights and is urging a consistent approach by the operators about how they should protect and educate their employees about this deadly disease.
Some of the media and public health responses - both the lapses in the procedures when caring for diagnosed Ebola patients and the overreaction in other situations - will understandably have raised anxiety levels for Unite members working in the sector.
Government guidance
DfT and Public Health England has provided useful advice to the industry which is referenced at the end of this briefing and it is recommended that all Unite civil aviation members read it.
The guidance states that crew and cleaners should follow the existing IATA guidance for management of any suspected cases of communicable disease and additional measures must be taken.
Additional measures are:
As part of the assessment of a person with a fever and any other symptoms, the crew could ask about a history of the person having been in West Africa, and specifically Liberia, Senegal or Sierra Leone, within the previous 21 days.
If the answer is 'yes', they should ask if the person could have been exposed to Ebola, e.g. as a healthcare worker or caring for a family member with the disease. If the answer to either question is 'no', it can safely be assumed that the person does not have Ebola infection.
If the answer to both is 'yes', the person should be treated as a suspect case of Ebola infection and medical advice sought - either from a ground-based medical adviser or an onboard health professional, depending on company procedures.
Reporting
All suspect cases of communicable disease should be reported to the public health authority at the destination airport in accordance with standard international procedures.
What happens after a case is reported?
If the case is thought to be a case of possible Ebola infection, the public health authority will manage the situation and advise any additional measures that should be taken.
Ebola can only be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person, so the only people who are at potential risk of infection are those people who have had such contact. There is therefore no risk to the crew or passengers on an aircraft which has carried a person subsequently diagnosed as having Ebola but who was not unwell on the aircraft.
Steps to be taken by operators
Provide cabin crew with information/training
· about the risks
· how to use the equipment that is available in order to minimise the risk – as listed below
Provide universal precautions kits as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) - for more information see:
http://www.icao.int/SAM/Documents/2009/CASPCA1/CAPSCA%20ICAO%20Health-related%20documents.pdf
Train cabin crew in their use when dealing with any suspected case of communicable disease on board.
Spillage kits should be available and used to clear up any spilled body fluids.
Essential information for Unite members
DfT/Public Health Guidance
The DfT, in partnership with Public Health England, published useful guidance for operators at the end of September 2014. This is at this link.
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/358306/west-africa-ebola-uk-aviation-sector-guidance-sept-2014.pdf
The details of affected countries have changed since this advice was issued. Nigeria and Senegal have had small outbreaks, but are very close to being confirmed as Ebola free, and there have been the small number of secondary cases in Spain and the USA - but the document otherwise remains current.
Unite Health Sector note: Ebola prevention advice for Unite members.
If you have concerns that your employer is not following the guidance
1. Contact your Unite H&S representative
2. If you don’t have a H&S rep in your workplace contact Unite H&S department.
Direct line: 0207 611 2596