Invisible Micro-Organisms

Spread flus and other viruses around the city and around the world along transportation corridors

The mobility we enjoy around our city and around the world also creates an opportunity to mobilize flus and viruses. Seasonal flus, other viruses and bacteria are transmitted through the air and through contact with contaminated surfaces. These microbes that can cause flus and other more serious diseases are able to live on all types of surfaces. As a result, high touch surfaces in high traffic areas contribute to the spread of seasonal outbreaks along school bus routes, commuter corridors and around the world via airline routes and passenger ships.

“The virus seemed to
travel along the public
transport lines that kids
use to get to school.”
Dr. Anne Kelso,
Melbourne, Australia

An infected passenger can contaminate a surface by touch or droplets from a cough or sneeze. The virus is spread when a person touches the contaminated surface and then touches his or her nose, eyes or mouth. One infected person may contaminate other people on board or any other passenger that touches the contaminated surface hours later.

A virus strong enough to infect
another passenger can live on
seats, handles and all types
of surfaces up to eight hours
after being contaminated.