DUBAI // Five passengers with flu-like symptoms who were removed from an Emirates flight from Dubai after it landed in Boston do not have Ebola or other major infectious illness.
The group was escorted off the aircraft by emergency staff wearing hazardous material protective suits after it landed at Logan Airport on Monday.
Three were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital and two to Boston Medical Centre.
Boston health authorities were notified after crew on Emirates flight EK237 reported the passengers had symptoms similar to those for influenza.
“A plane from the UAE landed at Logan Airport this afternoon with a report of several sick passengers,” MGH said.
“MGH emergency department and infectious disease staff members evaluated the patients, and have now confirmed that these patients are at no risk of having Ebola or other major infectious illnesses. All patients are being released.”
A team from Boston Emergency Medical Services evaluated all passengers, taking five to area hospital for further examination “although they were deemed to be very low risk for significant infectious disease”, MGH said.
The five patients were also cleared by Boston’s public health commission.
“After discussions with our partner hospitals, the Boston public health commission’s infectious disease bureau has determined that the patients who arrived on Emirates Flight 237 at Logan International Airport do not meet the criteria for any infections of public health concern, including Ebola, Mers or meningococcal infection,” the commission said.
rtalwar@thenational.ae