As a precaution airlines are asked to use
insecticide on all flights returning to the UK from
countries with confirmed transmission of Zika.
All aircraft returning to the UK from countries
currently affected by active Zika virus transmission
will be sprayed with insecticide as part of a
comprehensive government response to the disease.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the
issue of microcephaly - which may be linked to Zika
- a public health emergency of international
concern.
As a precautionary measure, the government is asking
airlines to ensure that disinsection (spraying with
insecticide) takes place on all flights to the UK
from countries with confirmed transmission of Zika.
Disinsection involves spraying a simple insecticide
inside the aircraft to reduce the risk of passengers
being bitten by any mosquitoes that could have
entered the aircraft. It already occurs on the
majority of flights from the region as a precaution
against malaria.
The move is consistent with advice from WHO Europe.
The type of mosquito that transmits the virus is
extremely unlikely to survive and breed here given
the lower temperatures in the UK.
Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said:
Spraying insecticide is a highly precautionary
measure to reduce the risk to passengers during
flights to the UK.
I want to reassure people that the risk to the UK
population is extremely low. We advise people
travelling to affected areas to reduce the risk of
themselves being bitten by wearing mosquito
repellent, long sleeves and trousers. Pregnant women
should consider avoiding travel to countries with
the Zika virus - or if travel is unavoidable, they
ought to seek travel health advice from their GP or
a travel clinic well in advance of their trip."
For more information
Department of Health
Link...
Department for Transport
Link...
MDN |