Air passengers ‘were at risk of TB’
Air France and Czech Air passengers are being tracked down, after a man who travelled with both airlines was quarantined due to his carrying a rare Tuberculosis virus.
The particular strain of TB he was contaminated with is particularly dangerous as it is resistant to a large number of antibiotics.
Martin Cetron, the Centre for Disease control and Prevention (CDC)’s global migration and quarantine director said: “He was told in no uncertain terms not to take a flight back [to the US].”
The man was originally contacted in Italy with the warning that, due to his health risk, he should not fly.
It is advised that passengers flying on the Air France flight 385 on May 12th, or the Czech Air flight 0104 on May 24th should see a doctor immediately.
The man is not facing prosecution, although is being held in respiratory isolation and both airlines are said to be cooperating well with the CDC.
The news comes just a week after a company was reported to have developed the ability to pinpoint the exact origin of any illness set off on an aeroplane.