Roberta Aguirre
In preparation for the winter respiratory season and the arrival of the holidays, the CDC has expanded its disease surveillance at four major airports, including Logan International Airport. The Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance system, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, will now be used to test for various pathogens, including flu, RSV, and other respiratory viruses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Testing type | Nasal sampling |
| Who is being tested | International travelers arriving in the United States |
| What is being tested for | Flu, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses |
| Why is testing being conducted | To detect illness and curb the spread of disease during the winter respiratory season and holiday travel |
| Who is conducting the testing | The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
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What You'll Learn
Testing for flu, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2
In preparation for the winter respiratory season and the arrival of the holidays, the CDC has expanded disease surveillance at four major airports, including Logan International Airport in Boston. The CDC introduced the Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance system during the COVID-19 pandemic to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants at international airports. This system is now being expanded to include the detection of flu A/B, RSV, and other pathogens. The voluntary program involves taking nasal samples from international travellers arriving in the US, with positive samples being sent to the CDC for further analysis.
The FluoroType® SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV assay is a test that can differentiate between Influenza A, Influenza B, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV using dual-target detection directly from nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs. This test may be used to help diagnose and distinguish between these respiratory illnesses. However, it is important to consider the possibility of co-infections and potential interference from other pathogens, such as Pneumocystis jirovecii (PJP), which can affect the accuracy of the results.
Specimen collection and storage are crucial for accurate testing. For example, specimens in viral transport media (VTM) can be stored at 5°C for up to 80 hours or at -70°C for up to 7 days prior to testing. Proper storage conditions and timely transportation to laboratories are essential to ensure the integrity of the samples and the reliability of the test results.
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Nasal sampling for international travellers
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has implemented a voluntary nasal sampling program for international travellers arriving at Boston's Logan International Airport. This initiative is part of the CDC's Traveller-based Genomic Surveillance system, which aims to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants and other respiratory viruses at international airports. With the winter respiratory season approaching and the expected increase in travel during the holidays, the CDC is expanding its disease surveillance to include four major airports, with Logan being one of them.
The nasal sampling process at Logan Airport will focus on detecting various pathogens, including flu A/B, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other respiratory viruses. This procedure involves taking nasal samples from consenting international travellers upon their arrival in the United States. The samples will be analysed, and positive results will be reported to the CDC as part of their disease surveillance efforts.
It is important to note that participation in the nasal sampling program is entirely voluntary. International travellers arriving at Logan Airport have the option to consent to the procedure or decline it. For those who choose to participate, the process will be quick and straightforward. Trained medical staff will be on-site to guide travellers through the process and ensure their comfort.
The implementation of nasal sampling at Logan Airport is a proactive measure to curb the spread of respiratory illnesses during the holiday season. By identifying individuals who may be carrying these pathogens, public health officials can take the necessary steps to prevent further transmission. This includes providing travellers with information on isolation and treatment options, as well as reporting positive cases to the CDC for further analysis and disease monitoring.
As the winter respiratory season approaches, international travellers passing through Logan Airport can play a crucial role in protecting public health by participating in the nasal sampling program. This simple and voluntary procedure can help detect and prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, ensuring a safer travel experience for all. For travellers who wish to opt-in, clear instructions and guidance will be provided by the airport and public health authorities.
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Wastewater analysis from certain flights
In preparation for the winter respiratory season and the arrival of the holidays, the CDC is expanding disease surveillance at four major airports, including Logan International Airport in Boston. The CDC introduced the Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance system during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants at international airports. As part of a pilot programme, nasal sampling will be used to detect flu A/B, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other pathogens. Additionally, wastewater from selected flights will be analysed to curb the spread of illnesses during the holiday season.
Another study analysed commercial aircraft wastewater samples from 198 international passenger flights arriving at Dubai International Airport. The wastewater was collected using buckets from the lavatory service panel on the aircraft fuselage. The samples revealed a 13.6% positivity rate for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, with 6 out of 8 positive wastewater results when only a single case of COVID-19 was reported during quarantine. This indicates a 75% probability that an individual with COVID-19 deposited SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the toilet. Additionally, the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in aircraft wastewater from a flight arriving in Darwin, Australia, from Johannesburg, South Africa, in November 2021.
Mathematical network models have been developed to study the spread of epidemic diseases by integrating air travel networks and infectious disease modelling. These models predict the global dissemination of infectious diseases and evaluate intervention strategies such as passenger screening. For instance, a study on pandemic influenza H1N1 identified the world's top 50 airports as significant contributors to the rapid global spread, suggesting that control measures should be prioritised at these hubs. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis of long-haul flight passenger data estimated that 25 to 36% of passengers contribute to a wastewater sample by defecating during the flight, with a mean of 107 passengers per sample.
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CDC's Traveller-based Genomic Surveillance system
The CDC's Traveller-based Genomic Surveillance system, or TGS, is a public-private partnership that plays a crucial role in US national biosecurity. The program has two primary goals: the early detection of new SARS-CoV-2 variants and other pathogens, and the filling of gaps in global biosurveillance. The TGS has been expanded to Boston's Logan International Airport, along with eight other airports across the US, including Miami and Chicago.
International travellers arriving at participating airports are asked to volunteer to self-collect nasal swab samples. These samples are then sent to a laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Positive samples are sequenced to determine variants, strains, or mutations. Select positive samples are shared with CDC laboratories for further genomic characterisation, which can provide valuable information about a new variant's transmissibility, virulence, and response to current treatments or vaccines.
The TGS program has proven to be an effective early detection mechanism for new pathogens. It was among the first to detect multiple Omicron variants, up to six weeks before they were reported elsewhere in the US. The program also monitors trends in the global circulation of communicable diseases, including influenza A, influenza B, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2.
In addition to the traveller program, the TGS also includes an aircraft wastewater surveillance component. Wastewater from certain flights is analysed to detect traces of pathogens shed when infected travellers use the bathroom or wash their hands. This method has been proven to be an effective and low-cost tool to monitor pathogens circulating globally and detect them early before they spread into communities.
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Testing during the winter respiratory season
As the winter respiratory season approaches, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is taking proactive measures to safeguard public health. In preparation for the season and the busy holiday travel period, the CDC has expanded its disease surveillance at four major airports, including Logan International Airport in Boston. This initiative is an extension of the Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance system implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The testing at Logan Airport will focus on detecting a range of pathogens, including influenza (flu), RSV, and other respiratory viruses. The voluntary testing program will involve collecting nasal samples from international travellers arriving in the United States. These samples will be analysed to identify flu A/B, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other potential pathogens. The participation of travellers is entirely voluntary, and those who agree to be tested will have nasal samples taken. This non-invasive method is simple and quick, causing minimal disruption to travellers' journeys.
The CDC's decision to include Logan Airport in this initiative is strategic. As a major international airport serving over 100 domestic and international destinations and accommodating more than 40 airlines, Logan Airport witnesses a substantial flow of passengers, especially during the holiday season. By testing travellers passing through Logan, public health officials can gain valuable insights into the prevalence and spread of respiratory illnesses. This information will be crucial in shaping public health strategies and interventions to curb the spread of respiratory infections during the winter months.
In addition to traveller testing, the CDC is also committed to analysing wastewater from selected flights. This environmental surveillance complements the nasal sampling by providing additional data on the presence of pathogens in the airport's ecosystem. By combining these testing methods, the CDC can enhance its understanding of the disease landscape during the winter respiratory season. This comprehensive approach to disease surveillance demonstrates the CDC's proactive efforts to protect public health and reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses on individuals, families, and communities across the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the CDC has introduced a voluntary testing program at Logan Airport, where nasal sampling is used to detect flu A/B, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, and other pathogens.
International travelers arriving in the United States can participate in the voluntary testing program.
The average security wait time at Logan Airport is 23 minutes during the peak travel season. However, TSA PreCheck passengers experience expedited screening, with an average waiting time of 5-10 minutes.
