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Gun thermometers and infra-red screening: is fever screening at airports effective?


http://feverscreening.com/


Gun thermometers – infra-red thermometers or fever scanning cameras or thermal cameras – have been used at airports to screen passengers for high temperatures and fevers. The Australian Government used temperature scanners at all international airports to screen 1.8million incoming passengers from overseas flights during the Avian Flu and SARS outbreaks in 2013.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral disease that caused about 9,000 deaths across Asia, and has symptoms similar to influenza – and for which there is no protective vaccine. Infra-red thermometers at airports were used to scan body temperatures, noting those with a fever of 38 degrees Celsius (100 F) or higher. After this surveillance, suspected passengers who exhibited high temperatures were isolated and followed-up with chest X-rays and further tests. All passengers arriving in Australia received a leaflet before disembarking the plane, in several languages, with general information on SARS and respiratory diseases.

The infra-red guns are thermometers used to measure the temperature of people – from a distance. It can measure heat, and therefore can measure people’s body temperature without touching them. It detects heat with optic sensors in the camera or gun’s imaging display. The gun or camera is attached to a computer which monitors temperatures.

At airports, security or airport personnel file people through one lane with the equipment positioned some distance in front or to the side of the queue which can screen quickly without touching people. There is no machine or kiosk to step into, so people remain in line and queue past on their way to the security bag screens. So it is not like personal security screening devices, but instead it is an unobtrusive, rapid way of screening body heat from a moving object or person. And it is safe and easy for the technicians. The readings are instant digital displays. Most people are unaware of the equipment.

During the 2003-2004 SARS outbreak a Canadian study found that 4.6 million people were screened at airports using infra-red imaging, with only 1,435 passengers recording an elevated temperature, and no cases of SARS. Some scientists say that because it can take several days for an incubating infection to produce symptoms, a one-time temperature screening will miss people who are infected but not yet feeling unwell.

Therefore, some scientists say they are inaccurate, while others say they are indeed accurate with a low margin of error. However, infra-red gun thermometers are generally regarded as an early warning system and one way of screening many people rapidly and safely, without intrusive handling, and with no effort required on the passengers’ part.

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/study-deems-airport-temperature-screening-ineffective-1.370446#ixzz3FoJUHMOr


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