Oh no...

[Wuggly Blight]

Theres no doubt, Transport of today will spread illness faster. the only major way to travel in years past was by Ocean Liners (What was there golden age.) It took over a week to get to America in that time any mass illnesses on bored would be detected, even back then they had high health standards where most 2nd and 3rd class passengers had to pass health inspection, if the 3rd class broke the quarentine (By leaving third class) the whole ship would be stopped when it arrived at America (Or any port really) for full health inspection, this is something not done on air travel. Planes can now cross the globe in hours, more often, this would spread illness far worse these days.