1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910707922503321

Titolo

Air travel and communicable diseases, comprehensive federal plan needed for U.S. aviation system's preparedness : report to Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Aviation, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

Pubbl/distr/stampa

[Washington, D.C.] : , : United States Government Accountability Office, , 2015

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (ii, 60 pages) : color illustrations, color map

Soggetti

Air travel - Health aspects - United States

Aeronautics - Health aspects - United States

Epidemics - United States - Prevention

Communicable diseases - United States - Prevention

Aeronautics - Health aspects

Air travel - Health aspects

Communicable diseases - Prevention

Epidemics - Prevention

United States

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

"December 2015."

"Accessible version."

"GAO-16-127."

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references.

Sommario/riassunto

Past communicable diseases, such as the recent Ebola epidemic, have resulted in many deaths and highlight the potential economic cost of disruptions to air travel and the U.S. and global economies. GAO was asked to review the preparedness of the U.S. aviation system to respond to communicable diseases. This report examines (1) the extent to which selected U.S. airports and airlines have plans for responding to communicable disease threats from abroad and to which a national aviation-preparedness plan guides preparedness, and (2) the



challenges that U.S. airports and airlines have faced when responding to threats and any actions taken to address them. GAO reviewed available documents and interviewed representatives from 14 U.S. international airports -- selected to reflect a range of activities and facilities -- and the 3 major U.S. airlines. GAO also reviewed applicable federal requirements and international obligations and guidance for U.S. airports and airlines, and interviewed officials and reviewed documents from federal agencies and aviation stakeholder groups. GAO recommends that DOT work with relevant stakeholders, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop a national aviation-preparedness plan for communicable diseases. DOT agrees a plan is needed, but suggests public health agencies lead the effort. GAO continues to believe the recommendation is correctly directed to DOT, as discussed in this report.--Highlights page.