An Emirates flight has been quarantined at JFK Airport in New York after 100 passengers reported feeling ill on board, with claims of coughing and high fevers
AN Emirates flight was quarantined today at JFK Airport in New York after 100 passengers reported feeling ill on board, with reports of coughing and high fevers.
Flight 203 from Dubai was heading to New York when dozens of the 500 passengers reported feeling ill.
the plane was quarantined in New York after it landed at JFK this morning at 9.10am, with ten people taken to hospital.
Port Authority Police and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were waiting in a staging area to check passengers.
Rapper Vanilla Ice, who claimed to be on the plane, tweeted: "So I just landed from Dubai and now there is like tons of ambulances and fire trucks and police all over the place
"This is crazy. Apparently there is over 100 people sick on the bottom floor, so happy I’m up top, it’s a double-decker plane 380.
Were you on Emirates Flight 203 from Dubai to JFK? Contact Erica on [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368
"So I just landed in New York coming back from Dubai and now I’m stuck on the runway with like 1000 police, ambulances, fire trucks, this is crazy."
In a statement, Emirates said just ten passengers were taken ill on the Dubai to New York flight.
According to reports, the passengers became ill with "fevers over 100 degrees and coughing" - while photos showed them getting their temperatures taken as they disembarked.
Eric Phillips - the press secretary for New York Mayor Bill De Blasio - tweeted: "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."
According to passenger Larry Coben, police and ambulances were on the scene to meet the flight as it landed.
He said: "All we have been told is that some passengers have fallen ill and we should remain in our seats."
He tweeted that he has seen "no evidence of illness", but added that Flight 203 has "two levels".
In an image taken from the plane, cabin crew were pictured leaving the flight.
An Emirates spokesperson said: "All passengers were screened by the local health authorities prior to disembarkation and 3 passengers and 7 crew were transferred to the hospital for further medical care and evaluation.
"Nine passengers underwent additional medical screening at the site near the aircraft and were released afterwards.
"The rest of the passengers were allowed to leave and clear customs. Our crew and onground staff extended our full cooperation with the authorities during the onboard screenings and the aircraft has now been handed back to Emirates.
"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused. The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is always our top priority."
Another passenger Erin Sykes added: "Worst flight ever Dubai to NYC; plane was basically a flying infermary (sic).
"Many of these people should never have been allowed to board. Now sitting on the ground after 14 hour flight unable to leave."
She added: "People were coughing the whole time... Now some people have fevers over 100. The sick people should never had been allowed on board."
In a video shared on Twitter, an official can be seen on the flight telling passengers to remain in their seats and remove baggage from the aisles.
In a statement to The Sun Online, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said: "CDC is aware of an Emirates flight from Dubai that arrived this morning at JFK.
"Approximately 100 passengers, including some crew on the flight, complained of illness including cough and some with fever.
"CDC public health officers are working with port authority, EMS, and CBP officials to evaluate passengers including taking temperatures and making arrangements for transport to local hospitals for those that need care.
"Passengers who are not ill will be allowed to continue with their travel plans, and if necessary will be followed up with by health officials. There were approximately 521 passengers on the flight. We will have more information as passengers and crew members are evaluated."
Passengers were also asked to fill out a form for the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on board.
In a statement the airline said: "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."
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