May 11, 2020

Effectiveness of interventions targeting air travellers for delaying local outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

• This study evaluated whether interventions aimed at air travelers can delay local SARS-CoV-2 community transmission in a previously unaffected country. Results from stochastic simulation showed that introducing exit and entry screening for SARS-CoV-2 at departure and/or arrival, in combination with traveler sensitization about COVID-19 symptoms, can delay a local outbreak by 8 days (50% interval: 3-14 days). The additional benefit of entry screening is small if exit screening is effective: the combination of exit screening and traveler sensitization can delay an outbreak by 7 days (50% interval: 2-13 days). 
• Syndromic screening and traveler sensitization in combination may have marginally delayed SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in unaffected countries. 

Clifford et al. (May 8, 2020). Effectiveness of interventions targeting air travellers for delaying local outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Travel Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/jtm/taaa068