HAZMAT Crew On United Flight With Possible Ebola Patient
Airport authorities at LAX are reporting that a patient on board a United flight may possibly have Ebola after traveling to Africa.
United Airlines flight 703, which originated at John K. Kennedy International, arrived at Los Angeles International with a patient on board that was vomiting and exhibiting other flu-like symptoms, according to Airport Sgt. Ortiz.
#BREAKINGNEWS: Patient with flu-like symptoms being investigated at LAX; plane taken to remote area due to Ebola concerns
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) October 12, 2014
The patient is reported to have recently traveled to Africa, although the details of where in Africa or when he was there were not immediately available. According to a CBS news local affiliate, the plane was taken to a remote gate on the west-side of the airport and a hazardous materials team was deployed to the plane in order to investigate the matter further.
DEVELOPING: Passenger with flu-like symptoms on plane from JFK investigated at LAX http://t.co/soqPG4txiX pic.twitter.com/eiJGQr8HJV — Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) October 12, 2014
No more news was immediately available.
We have been reporting on the fears and news associated with the Ebola outbreak. You can read about the risks of contracting Ebola while flying at a recent article we wrote here.
This is not the first flight that has involved United Airlines and a possible patient. United also carried the passenger from Brussels-Dulles-Dallas that was later diagnosed with the disease. That patient died earlier this week, although he was not contagious while he traveled, according to the CDC.
**UPDATE:
The Los Angeles County Department of Health said that the patient was taken to a local hospital, where it was determined that the patient was not a risk for Ebola.
Arriving passenger at LAX found not to have Ebola http://t.co/z16xN3MrAC
— L.A. Times: L.A. Now (@LANow) October 13, 2014
