Overview

Disinsection is permitted under international law in order to protect public health, agriculture and the environment. The World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization stipulate two approaches for aircraft disinsection– (1) spray the aircraft cabin with an aerosolized insecticide while passengers are on board or (2) or spray or treat the aircraft's interior surfaces with a residual insecticide (residual method) while passengers are not on board.

Although the Report of the Informal Consultation on Aircraft Disinsection sponsored by the World Health Organization (November 6-10, 1995) concluded that aircraft disinsection, if performed appropriately, would not present a risk to human health, the report also noted that some individuals may experience transient discomfort following aircraft disinsection by aerosol application.

Under the Chicago Convention, which governs international civil aviation, a country could impose a disinsection requirement should they perceive a threat to their public health, agriculture or environment. Accordingly, travelers are advised to check with their travel agent or airline reservations agent when booking flights or if they have questions about their final destination’s policy.

The following provides general information about disinsection requirements. Note: Policies may be changing. DOT continues to work to ensure that this list is accurate and up to date.

Countries requiring the disinsection of all in-bound flights with an aerosolized spray while passengers are on board:

Ecuador (only Galapagos and Interislands)

Grenada

Guyana

India

Kiribati

Madagascar

Panama

Seychelles

Tanzania

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Uruguay

Zimbabwe

Countries requiring the disinsection of all in-bound flights but allowing, as an alternative to the above approach, either (a) the residual method or (b) the application of an aerosolized spray while passengers are not on board. Country Method Australia Residual Barbados Residual Chile Residual Cook Islands Residual Fiji Residual Jamaica Residual New Zealand Residual

Countries that require disinfection of selected flights: Country Flight From/On Czech Republic Areas of contagious diseases Egypt Zika-infected countries France Areas of malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever Hong Kong All incoming aircraft from Zika-affected countries designated as WHO Category 1 or Category 2 Indonesia Infected areas Italy All aircraft coming from areas affected by Zika virus transmission and areas where the Aedes aegypti carrier is present Mauritius Generally, flights coming from African continent, Asia and sub regions, the Middle East and islands of the Indian Ocean, and flights coming from any other country where mosquito borne diseases are prevalent. Macau Flights from major infectious disease/Zika-infected countries Palau Non-US carriers from Korea, Hong Kong, Macau and Thailand Peru Some in-country flights Republic of Korea 30 countries, not including the United States South Africa Areas of malaria or yellow fever Switzerland Intertropical Africa Taiwan Incoming flights from areas with arbovirus vectors Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus Thailand Areas of yellow fever United Kingdom Malarial countries and countries with confirmed transmission of Zika (Voluntary)

Information on Carrying Mosquito Repellants

For travelers who wish to carry insect repellents with them, the Federal Aviation Administration’s website for airline passengers and crew on hazardous materials (http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe) includes detailed information on the rules and exceptions for “Mosquito repellent, insect repellent.”