To this date, confirmed cases of the disease SARS indicate that the disease is not easily transmitted. The World Health organization (WHO) has stated that SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is transmitted through extended close contact between persons
The chance of infection with the SARS-virus is to be considered very small, and there is no indication that greater risk of infection exists on board of aircraft lines. Furthermore, airline companies ?including KLM ?and local Public health Authorities have implemented a surveillance- and prevention system to minimize all possible risks of spreading the SARS-virus by air-travel.
KLM is monitoring all relevant information on a daily basis - especially WHO-information and the situation in the 'affected areas' ?und updates its policy whenever necessary. KLM complies with recommendations given by WHO and local Public health Authorities.
More information on www.who.int/csr or (in dutch) www.minvws.nl
Updates April 4, 2003
Frequently asked questions related to SARS (update April 11)
1. What travel advice should I follow?
On April 4, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends those persons travelling to
Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region and Guangdong Province, China consider postponing non-essential travel. This temporary recommendation is being reassessed daily as the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak evolves. Further information can be found at www.WHO.int
Following the instructions from the World Health Organization and local health authorities in Singapore, Hongkong, Taiwan and Canada, KLM has implemented precautionary measures on flights to/from Singapore, Hongkong, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Toronto.
2. What is KLM doing at Check In and arrival?
Based on guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the local health authorities, at check-in and/or arrival passengers are screened by means of interview or questionnaire.
City: Arrival Departure
Singapore Health declaration form. Questionnaire.
Hongkong Health declaration form. Questionnaire.
Taipei SARS form + Temperature check. Questionnaire.
Beijing Health declaration form. Questionnaire.
Shanghai Health declaration form. None.
Toronto None. Questionnaire.
Depending on answers given, passengers may be required to see a medical officer/doctor appointed by KLM before the check-in can take place. Should a passenger be denied to travel or miss the flight due to this procedure, a relaxed rebook policy is applicable when travelling on KLM.
3. What is KLM doing on board to prevent the possible spread of SARS?
On board of flights to/from Singapore, Hongkong, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Toronto, passengers do no longer receive Hot or Cold towels. No other measures apply at this moment.
4. How is crew instructed to detect a passenger that is possibly suffering from SARS?
If in-flight a passenger reports or is found to be ill, the crew will immediately communicate with Operations Control in Amsterdam, who will establish telephone contact between cockpit and a doctor of KLM ARBO Services (medical services). It will be established if the (suspect) case should indeed be classified as such or not. In case yes, the passenger will be isolated in the cabin (load-factor permitting) and the patient will be required to wear a mask, available in the medical kit on board. The crew will assign one toilet for exclusive use by the -suspect- case. Crew-members who serve the patient will wear masks and surgical gloves. Aircraft flying to above destinations are provided with sufficient gloves, facemasks and disinfectant.
5. What measures are taken for passengers in case a fellow passenger is possibly suffering from SARS?
All passengers (not only those in the direct vicinity of the -suspect- case) will be informed on arrival and given a letter with information and advice. All passengers will be requested to leave details of their contact addresses. This for the event that KLM needs to contact passengers.
The aircraft carries a limited supply of mouth protection masks for use by the (suspected) case, crew and passengers that were sitting in the direct vicinity of the (suspected) case.
6. Which measures will be taken with aircraft having had a SARS passenger on board?
To this date KLM has not had a SARS case on board one of his flights.
If a passenger on board had suspected SARS symptoms, the aircraft would not go back into service until it had been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
7. Does the air-conditioning of an aircraft enhance transmittal of the disease?
A report published by the World Health Organisation states 'investigations of possible transmission of infectious disease on aircraft found no evidence that air re-circulation facilitated transmission of infectious diseases aboard aircraft'. KLM aircraft have been equipped with an automatic environmental control system. This system is designed by the aircraft manufacturer to comply with requirements of the FAA, CAA and JAA.
The cabin air is re-circulated and passed through high efficiency HEPA filters to remove bacteria and viral particles. These HEPA filters are 99.99% efficient and are the same as those used in hospital operating theatres. Independent research shows that the concentration of biological micro-organisms in the aircraft cabin is much lower than in an ordinary city location or on other modes of public transport.
8. Do you provide masks for passengers on request?
Based on the guidance from the World Health Organization: in case a (suspected) SARS case appears to be on-board, a limited number of masks are available for use by passengers in the direct vicinity of the (suspected) SARS case.
9. If I change my travel plan for a reason related to SARS, do I pay a cancellation fee?
KLM has introduced a flexible cancellation & refund policy for flights to/from Singapore, Hongkong, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Toronto. Please contact your nearest KLM office.
10. Why is KLM still operating to Singapore, Hongkong, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Toronto?
Many people still need to travel to and from these cities for various reasons. We have therefore taken several measures based on guidance from the World Health Organization to protect our customers and crew, while continuing to serve these cities.
11. Where can I find further advice and information on SARS?
Please see your doctor or visit the World Health Organization web site at www.WHO.int |
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