Developing Story: Emirates Flight Quarantined at New York (JFK)

Meghan Hunter

6 years ago

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Update: While the original number of sick passengers was reported as 100, Emirates has released a statement saying that only 10 passengers are ill and have been treated. At least 3 passengers have been taken to the hospital.

An Emirates flight from Dubai is in quarantine at JFK at the moment, awaiting Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officials. During the flight, about 10 passengers became sick with high fevers and coughs.

The New York mayor’s office said that the plane made a brief stop in Mecca which is currently experiencing a flu outbreak. So it’s possible this incident is related.

Photo of the Quarantined Emirates Flight Courtesy of ABC News

According to WNBC, the passengers are expected to be checked individually by CDC members. The Airbus A380 had at least 500 passengers on the near 14-hour flight. So I’d imagine this story will continue to develop throughout the day. We’ll keep you updated as we receive more information.

Have you ever been in such a situation? Or how do you think you’d handle it? I have to admit, I’d be pretty worried. Hopefully, it’s just a bad case of food poisoning or something fairly harmless!

If you are currently at JFK and have any tips as to what’s going on, please let us know.

Hat tip: NBC New York

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