OREANDA-NEWS. November 06, 2009. Press-services of the leading Ukrainian carriers Ukraine International Airlines and “AeroSvit”, as well as the International Airport “Boryspil”, have announced the following measures taken to combat the influenza epidemic in Ukraine.

In particular, all aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines and “AeroSvit”, operating domestic and international flights, are fully equipped with first-aid kits, thermometers, rubber gloves for flight-attendants and flu masks for cabin crew and passengers. The flight attendants have undergone special training to identify passengers with symptoms of the disease and to constantly inspect the state of health of passengers.

All passengers, that suffering symptoms, are recommended to immediately contact a flight-attendant, who would take all necessary measures to prevent contagion on board and would send the passenger to a doctor at the quarantine station of the airport on arrival.

Crews have been informed of the necessity to report to the flight service of the airport in advance about all the potential cases of infection on board.

Boeing aircraft, which form the basis of the Ukraine International and “AeroSvit” fleet, are noted for a high level of safety and comfort. Systems of air filtration on board, equipped with the highly efficient HEPA filters that are also used in hospitals for air filtration, provide one of the most essential  measures for contagion prevention on board. The filters capture 99% of all particles, including germs, microbes and viruses, and eliminate their circulation in cabin.

At “Boryspil” airport there are all necessary resources and qualified personnel to safeguard the protection measures against infection due to the adverse epidemiologic situation in Ukraine.

In accordance with the sanitary rules, officers at the quarantine station regularly perform the whole complex of epidemiology measures during passenger screening. Crews also pass regular health checks and have regular briefings at the airport. Passenger screening, sanitary inspection at the catering facilities, as well as customs and veterinary control. are more rigorous

Inside the airport, there is sufficient provision of disinfectant solution for medical stations, terminals, passenger buses, jet bridges; single-use thermometers and rubber carpets which protect against infection from shoes.

The Ukrainian carriers already have experience in preventing the spread of respiratory diseases. Thus, thanks to joint actions of Ukraine International, “AeroSvit” and the International Airport “Boryspil”, some time ago “bird flu” H5N1 did not penetrate the “air gateway” to Ukraine.