A plane traveling from Dubai to New York City has been quarantined on the runway at JFK Airport, according to multiple reports, after some 100 passengers reported feeling sick on board with fevers over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The airline claims the number of ill passengers is 10.
NBC New York is reporting that Emirates flight 203 landed at JFK around 9:10 a.m. Wednesday, where local police and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were already waiting in a staging area to check passengers.
Then the plane was quarantined, per NBC New York:
The mayor’s office confirmed on Twitter that a plane had landed at JFK with sickened passengers, saying the aircraft had been quarantined.
Chopper 4 was over the scene where about seven ambulances were lined up, as well as at dozens of other emergency response units including police and Homeland Security. At about 10 a.m. a handful of crew members were seen being escorted from the plane.
Initial reports say around 100 passengers have fallen ill and are coughing with fevers over 100 degrees F. The cause is reportedly the in-flight meals:
Emirates Airline, which operated the flight, issued a statement shortly thereafter saying only 10 of the passengers on flight #EK203 were taken ill, and upon arrival, were attended to by health officials.
The city’s ABC affiliate says the plane is being held away from other terminals for the time being, due to the reports of passengers being ill.
More as we get it.