The bugs on the bus go round and round

Tuesday January 18th, 2011

Buses, trams and trains might need to introduce hand gels at their doors during the winter to protect passengers against winter viruses, researchers revealed yesterday.

Users of public transport face a massively increased risk of picking up a winter bug, according to researchers at Nottingham University, UK.

Medical student Joy Troko found that passengers seemed to have a six times increased risk after questioning some 138 patients at a city GP practice during the flu season at the end of 2008.

The work was backed by the UK's Health Protection Agency and has been published by BMC Infectious Diseases.

Professor Jonathan Van Tam, of the university, said a larger study is needed to confirm the findings.

He said: "However, the findings justify the need to practise good respiratory and hand hygiene when using public transport during periods when winter viruses are circulating and where possible to avoid situations where you might spread your germs to others when you have a respiratory illness."

He said occasional passengers seemed to be the most vulnerable - suggesting that regular travellers build up strong immunity against the spread of bugs on their journeys.

The findings were "statistically significant", he said.

BMC Infectious Diseases BMC Infectious Diseases 2011, 11:16 January 14 2011

Tags: Flu & Viruses | Traveller Health | UK News

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