Airport trays spread viruses

PLASTIC security trays harbour the highest levels of viruses at airports, a study found.

Pandemic experts found evidence of flu and cold-spreading germs on 10 per cent of surfaces which also included shop payment points, staircase rails, passport checking desks and children’s play areas.

The various surfaces were swabbed at Helsinki airport at peak time as part of research carried out by the University of Nottingham and the Finnish National Institute for Health and Welfare.

Contagious

Experts concluded that hand washing and careful coughing hygiene are crucial to the control of contagious infections in public areas such as airports.

The university said that the survey’s most frequent virus was rhinovirus, which causes the common cold, while the swabs also picked up the influenza A virus.

No respiratory viruses were found on toilet surfaces.

Professor of Health Protection Jonathan Van-Tam, of the school of medicine, said: “People can help to minimise contagion by hygienic hand washing and coughing into a handkerchief, tissue or sleeve at all times – but especially in public places.”

He added: “These simple precautions can help prevent pandemics and are most important in crowded areas like airports that have a high volume of people.”