Do high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters on airplanes offer protection?
Yes, if they are true HEPA filters, but many airplanes are not equipped with them. Airplanes are a common location for human-to-human transmission of viral infections due to the close proximity of travelers and the recycling of air in passenger cabins. The presence of HEPA filters is particularly important on flights from countries that have documented cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in humans.
Yes, if they are true HEPA filters, but many planes are not equipped with them. Airplanes are a common venue for human-to-human transmission of viral infections due to proximity of travelers and recycling of air within the cabin. You should not travel if you are ill or have a fever. If a neighbor is coughing or appears ill near you, move and tell the flight attendant. This is particularly important if you are flying from a country that has documented avian influenza cases in humans. If you develop influenza symptoms and are in a country known to have H5N1 among birds and/or humans, it is important to get immediate medical care. For this reason, you should visit your local doctor for treatment.
