ICAO update on Swine Flu: International Civil Aviation Organization/Air Navigation Bureau (ANB)

Avian influenza currently poses a substantial risk to the global population because it is likely that at some, unpredictable, point in the future a strain of influenza will emerge that transmits easily between humans. If this occurs, the aviation community may be asked by the World Health Organization (WHO) to take action in order to assist in limiting its spread. Further, aviation will undoubtedly be detrimentally affected as passengers choose to avoid flying to areas where there is a perceived increased risk of disease. For both reasons it is therefore necessary to plan for such an event, in order to mitigate the effects of a human outbreak.

ICAO is coordinating an international effort to bring together expertise from such organizations as the WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airports Council International (ACI) in order to develop Guidelines for States that will assist in their preparedness planning, not only for pandemic influenza but for other communicable diseases that might cause a public health emergency. ICAO gained experience in developing such guidelines during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003.

Guidelines for States have been agreed and these are now available. They are generic, in that they are applicable to many communicable diseases, not only influenza. They will continue to be modified over time as more information is gained on preparedness planning and on the behaviour of relevant infectious agents. They are based on the WHO International Health Regulations (2005) (pdf).

In addition to guidelines that are directed towards States, additional guidelines have been written that are specific to airport operators and airlines. These are based on the State guidelines but are more detailed. They are available from the websites of Airports Council International and International Air Transport Association respectively. A United Nations (UN) web site provides information concerning the UN response to avian influenza (H5N1) and the pandemic threat to humans.