Tigerair Taiwan Defends Measles Infection Date of Cabin Crew|空服員麻疹還出勤 確診時間"羅生門"

Tigerair is under a PR crisis as its flight attendant with measles was allowed to work on board despite showing symptoms. He and other five people, including fellow cabin crew members and passengers, have been infected. However, Tigerair says the man wasn't diagnosed until April 2nd.


A Taiwanese man caught measles in Thailand last month and later flew from Taiwan to Okinawa on vacation. He infected five other people on the flight. One of the people was sitting near the restroom, which may be how he was infected. Measles is highly contagious and anyone that was sitting within two rows of the man is considered to be at high risk. However, everyone else on the flight is also potentially at risk due to the enclosed space on planes.

Actually, unless the person that was sitting near the restroom received special attention from (an infected) stewardess or steward and they were constantly near him -- that is the only way his risk (of infection) would be higher.

The doctor says restrooms are the dirtiest place on planes due to bacterial buildup from sick people. Everyone should wash their hands with soap after using the toilet and wear a surgical mask throughout the flight. Passengers should also avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

I can have prevention by myself. I think it should be the job of the Civil Aeronautics Administration, not us travelers.

The Kaohsiung City Department of Health believes Patient Zero developed a rash on the 1st but worked the next day anyway. However, Tiger Air asserts the flight attendant was not diagnosed until the 2nd. The Centers for Disease Control has asked the airline to investigate and says any violations will be subject to fines of NT$10,000 to NT$150,000.