Ok, so I saw The Secret of Nihm and An American Tail, but had no idea that mice liked to fly commercially. This week the FDA issued a warning letter to Atlanta based Delta Airlines after finding a large amount of rodent droppings and urine on parked airplanes January 26 through February 2, 2011.

Ashley Black, a spokeswoman for Delta said that the airline took the rodent case “very seriously” and resolved the issue by temporarily parking the jet and “humanely catching the animal.”

There goes the Spring Break plans.

Black continues:

“We believe this was an isolated incident and we cooperated with the FDA immediately to resolve it earlier this year. The health and safety of Delta’s customers and employees are Delta’s top priority.”

According to the CDC hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease from rodents. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infected rodents or their urine and droppings.

HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus infection.

The FDA said rodent excrement was discovered above the right and left forward galleys and mammalian urine was detected in six areas on ceiling panels over a galley. Delta’s response to the agency didn’t include steps to prevent a recurrence, which is “likely” unless such measures are taken, the FDA said.

Here are the bullets from the FDA’s warning letter regarding the location and numbers of the waste found:

  • Approximately 8-11 rodent excreta pellets above the right door panel in the forward galley (G1) where food is prepared by flight personnel
  • Approximately 10-20 rodent excreta pellets above the left door panel in the forward galley (G1) where food is prepared by flight personnel
  • Approximately 9-15 rodent excreta pellets on the right aisle of the aircraft over seats C3-C7
  • Rodent excreta pellets (too numerous to count) in three areas in ceiling panels located in the middle cross over galley G2, which is directly over places where food and drinks are stored in the aircraft
  • Mammalian urine in six areas on ceiling panels located in the middle cross over galley G2

Federal regulations for transportation companies require that “all places where food is prepared, served, or stored shall be constructed and maintained as to be clean and free from flies, rodents and other vermin,” the FDA said.

The official letter concluded:

“This letter is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations that may exist at your facility. You are responsible for ensuring that your firm operates in compliance with the requirements of the PHS Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and applicable regulations. Failure to promptly correct these violations may result in regulatory action being initiated by the FDA without further notice. These actions include, but are not limited to, seizure and/or injunction.”

Sources:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The United States Food and Drug Administration

Written by Sy Kraft