To the Editor: The increasing overcrowding on public transport, particularly trains, in many Australian cities makes for considerable discomfort. As the problem deteriorates, concerns about attributable illness and even death have been raised.1 Overcrowding on public transport also contributes to the spread of respiratory diseases such as influenza (pandemic or otherwise).2
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- 1 Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC.
- 2 Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC.
Correspondence: benjamin.cowie@mh.org.au
- 1. Lucas C. Rail overcrowding could be deadly, Kosky warned. The Age (Melbourne) 2009; 16 Jan. http://www.theage.com.au/national/rail-overcrowding-could-be--deadly-kosky-warned-20090115-7i6w.html (accessed Jul 2009).
- 2. Chin J, editor. Control of communicable diseases manual. 17th ed. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2000.
- 3. Victorian Department of Human Services. Victorian health management plan for pandemic influenza. Melbourne: DHS, 2007. http://www.health .vic.gov.au/ideas/regulations/vic_influenza (accessed Jul 2009).
- 4. Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Australian health management plan for pandemic influenza. Section B4. Canberra: DoHA, 2008: 64. http://www.flupandemic.gov.au/internet/panflu/publishing.nsf/Content/ahmppi (accessed Jul 2009).
- 5. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The Australian immunisation handbook. 9th ed. Canberra: Australian Government, 2008. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/Handbook-home (accessed Jul 2009).
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