Scientists Have Discovered The Main Source Of Infection At Airports

Scientists have discovered the main source of infection at airports

A new Finnish-British study found that at airports, plastic inspection trays contain the most viruses.

Sheremetyevo airport". Photo: Wikimedia Commons /

A new Finnish-British study found that at airports, plastic inspection trays contain the most viruses. The results of the study were published in the journal BMC Infectious Diseases.

Pandemic experts found viruses on 10% of airport surfaces surveyed, including payment terminals, stair railings, passport control points and children's playgrounds.

The study was conducted in winter 2016 during peak hours at Helsinki Airport by experts from the University of Nottingham and the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare.

More often than not, researchers found viruses in plastic trays circulating among passengers queuing up for X-ray inspection of carry-on baggage at the checkpoint. Passengers often put their shoes and various liquids in these trays. Some viruses can live on these trays for up to two days, as the surface is hard and non-porous, the researchers said.

Experts have concluded that hand washing and good cough hygiene are critical to fighting infectious infections in crowded public spaces.

The University of Nottingham said the most common virus found in the study was the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. The influenza A virus was also frequently detected.

No respiratory viruses were found on toilet surfaces during the study.

“People can minimize their risk of infection by washing their hands and coughing hygiene by coughing into a handkerchief, cloth or sleeve, especially in public places. These simple precautions can help prevent an epidemic and are important to follow in crowded areas, especially at airports, through which masses of people travel from different parts of the world,”says study author, Professor Jonathan Van Tam of University of Nottingham Medical School.

Virology expert Niina Ikonen of the Finnish National Institute of Health and Welfare says the problem of the presence of germs in airports has not been previously investigated.

“The results of the study support the need to plan for preparedness to control the spread of serious infectious diseases at airports. They also provide new ideas for technical improvements that should be taken into account during the design and renovation of airports,”says Niina Ikonen.