Germs at the airport: A hotbed for viruses
September 13, 2018
Are you a frequent flyer? Then you might want to wash your hands after touching airport surfaces. Like, every time.
The fact that we can now travel nationally and internationally in short amounts of time means that the spread of infectious diseases has increased drastically.
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Recently, a team of researchers from the United Kingdom and Finland studied various surfaces at Finland's main airport, Helsinki-Vantaa.
They tested these areas for different types of respiratory viruses, such as the rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, and influenza A.
The researchers took swabs from armrests, handrails, children's toys in the play area, trolley handles, luggage trays at the security area, and toilet locks, lids, and flushes.
Their results showed that 10 percent of examined surfaces carried respiratory viruses. The most common virus was the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. And the highest concentration of viruses was found on the trays at the security checkpoint.
Read more: England hit by 50 year spike in scarlet fever
At airports — and all other public spaces — people should make sure to frequently wash their hands with soap and water. Another way you can help: Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your arm.