Sneezing on planes 'can endanger Cystic Fibrosis sufferers'

on 08/01/2013 11:20:04

The Cystic Fibrosis Association has urged people to think about the risk to Cystic Fibrosis sufferers when we cough or sneeze on a plane.

The association is proposing that airlines notify other passengers when a sufferer is on their flight, and suggest that if they need to sneeze or cough, they do so into a tissue or their hand.

Campaigners have said many people are unaware of the consequences for CF sufferers if others do not take extra precautions in a confined space like an aircraft cabin.

Ireland has the highest incidence of Cystic Fibrosis of anywhere in the world - 1 in 19 people carry the gene, while 1,100 have the full-blown disease.