englibertm
JF-Expert Member
- May 1, 2009
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An emergency medical crew in protective gear was dispatched to a plane after a passenger sneezed and shouted: 'I have Ebola' in an apparent prank. The flight was travelling from Philadelphia, US, to Punta Cana, Dominion Republic, when the American man made the remark on Wednesday. The 54-year-old reportedly sneezed and said: "I have Ebola, you are all screwed." There were 290 passengers on-board US Airways Flight 845, who were told to stay on the plane until was declared safe.
Some covered their faces while others filmed the officials checking the plane and posted it to YouTube. Speaking to passengers, a cabin crew member said: "I think the man that has said this is an idiot." He went through a series of medical checks and interviews after being escorted from the aircraft, it is understood. Airline staff said they were certain the man was joking, but did not want to take any risks and a full hazmat crew boarded the plane to take him off.
It comes after the White House agreed to step up medical screening for the deadly disease, while the UK government plans to introduce screening for some travellers at Heathrow and Gatwick. The man had reportedly been sneezing and coughing throughout the flight, an early indication of the disease
