The number of ill passengers on an Emirates plane rose to 19 Wednesday when an Emirates plane arriving at New York’s JFK airport from Dubai was quarantined.
Eric Phillips, press secretary for New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio, said nine additional people were found to be sick, but they refused medical attention.
All passengers cleared the plane at John F. Kennedy International Airport by 12:35 p.m., but the cause was not yet determined.
All the passengers are off and have been evaluated. 19 sick. 10 to hospital and 9 refused medical attention. Health officials are processing tests now to determine the cause. Symptoms still pointing to the flu. https://t.co/ZWURgb68bJ
— Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) September 5, 2018
Emirates said the initial 10 passengers were seen by local medical authorities “as a precaution.”
Statement: Emirates can confirm that about 10 passengers on #EK203 from Dubai to New York were taken ill. On arrival, as a precaution, they were attended to by local health authorities. All others will disembark shortly. The safety & care of our customers is our first priority.
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) September 5, 2018
Anne Schuchat, principal deputy CDC director, said the agency is aware that an Emirates flight arrived with passengers suffering from an “unspecified illness.”
She said the CDC was working with local authorities to learn more and help with the response.
Earlier reports said 100 passengers had fallen ill.
By 11 a.m., the 10 sick people were transported to Jamaica Hospital. Additional passengers showed signs of illness and were being treated on scene.
10 sick people off the plane and heading to Jamaica Hospital. Health officials taking others off one by one checking for symptoms. About 40 cleared and going to customs. A few others showing symptoms and being held for treatment and possible transport to hospital. https://t.co/6X0445ivXy
— Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) September 5, 2018
Mr. Phillips said it seems that some passengers got on the plane from Mecca, which currently has a flu outbreak, and that could be connected to the unknown illness on the plane.
This statement corrected his earlier message that noted the flight stopped in Mecca.
*EDIT*: the flight was direct from Dubai. It appears some of the ill passengers came from Mecca before getting on in Dubai. https://t.co/53AnFS2Ygk
— Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) September 5, 2018
• Tom Howell Jr. contributed to this article.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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