A plane that landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York has been quarantined after about 100 passengers reported feeling sick, NBC reported, citing airport sources. Emirates Flight 203 from Dubai landed at about 9:10 a.m., and Port Authority police and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were waiting, the network reported. The mayor's office confirmed that the plane had been quarantined.<doc-sep>An Emirates plane originating in Dubai was temporarily quarantined at New York's JFK International Airport on Wednesday morning, after multiple passengers fell ill. The number of sick passengers is still unclear, but eyewitness accounts show the grounded plane surrounded by ambulances, and one passenger, Larry Coben, wrote on Twitter that Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officials had boarded the plane to assess the situation. An unidentified law enforcement source said 100 of the 500 passengers on Emirates Flight 203 were reporting feeling sick, and that at least three of them had been transferred to a hospital for treatment, according to NBC. But in a statement, Emirates put the number much lower: "Emirates can confirm that about 10 passengers on #EK203 from Dubai to New York were taken ill. On arrival, as a precaution, they were attended to by local health authorities. All others will disembark shortly. The safety & care of our customers is our first priority," the airline said in a tweet. One passenger, Erin Sykes, told CNN that she had noticed numerous passengers were sick before takeoff: "I asked the (flight attendant) for a mask before we even took off, but there was none available," she said. "It was so obvious that a large number of people were ill well before take-off." She said that besides coughing, some people were reporting fevers. At around 10:45 a.m. (almost two hours after the plane landed) Coben, who has been tweeting live updates, posted that he was "heading for the terminal," after having had his temperature taken by CDC officials, along with other passengers. Just after 11 a.m. Coben said he had cleared customs and was on his way home. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.<doc-sep>An Emirates plane landing at John F Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday was quarantined after nearly 100 passengers reported feeling sick. There were nearly 500 passengers onboard the flight, according to reports. Flight EK 203 from Dubai was headed toward New York when nearly 100 of the passengers onboard reported feeling ill early Wednesday morning. The Port Authority Police and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were reportedly waiting for the aircraft when it landed at about 9:10 am on Wednesday morning to check the passengers. BREAKING: An Emirates A380 in quarantine at JFK Airport right now awaiting CDC officials after about 100 passengers became ill with fevers over 100 degrees and coughing. Flight 203 had just arrived from Dubai. pic.twitter.com/lyUgNbMaEW — Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) September 5, 2018 The incident was confirmed by the mayor's office, which said that the entire plane has been quarantined until further notice. It was not immediately clear what caused the passengers to fall ill. Emirates flight #EK203 (An A380 with registration A6-EUF) is quarantined at JFK Airport in New York. According to reports in media about 100 passengers on board are reported feeling sick. pic.twitter.com/LnzV4NPKao — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 5, 2018 Fox News said hazardous materials crews were called to the airport. A passenger on board, Larry Coben, told NBC News that he was told there were sick passengers, but he hadn’t seen any sick passengers himself. A dozen protesters police cars meeting my retienen flight to JFK. What’s up @emirates ? pic.twitter.com/qjpbQbfF4K — Larry Coben (@LarryCoben) September 5, 2018 The press secretary for the New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Eric Phillips, released a statement on Twitter saying that the flight had stopped at Mecca, which is currently experiencing a flu outbreak and it could be a possibility that the passengers may be infected. Flight started in Dubai and stopped in Mecca, which is experiencing a flu outbreak. Early indications point to that as a POSSIBILITY. More to come https://t.co/61C2Lnc29z — Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) September 5, 2018 Emirates airline also released a statement on Twitter, saying that all the sick passengers were being attended to and those unaffected will be allowed to leave the plane soon. The airline has also confirmed that at least 10 passengers have taken ill. Statement: Emirates can confirm that about 10 passengers on #EK203 from Dubai to New York were taken ill. On arrival, as a precaution, they were attended to by local health authorities. All others will disembark shortly. The safety & care of our customers is our first priority. — Emirates Airline (@emirates) September 5, 2018 Meanwhile, ABC News reported that the pilot of the aircraft raised concerns before landing after several passengers reported experiencing high temperatures and coughing. There could also be a possibility of food poisoning being the cause, according to BBC. The CDC also released a statement, saying it was "aware of an Emirates flight from Dubai that arrived this morning at JFK. Approximately 100 passengers, including some crew on the flight, complained of illness including cough and some with fever." "CDC public health officers are working with... officials to evaluate passengers including taking temperatures and making arrangements for transport to local hospitals those that need care," the statement added. Phillips also released another statement confirming that at least 10 passengers were taken to to Jamica Hospital. 10 sick people off the plane and heading to Jamaica Hospital. Health officials taking others off one by one checking for symptoms. About 40 cleared and going to customs. A few others showing symptoms and being held for treatment and possible transport to hospital. https://t.co/6X0445ivXy — Eric Phillips (@EricFPhillips) September 5, 2018 A passenger on the plane, Larry Coben, shared pictures from the scene of the unaffected passengers being checked by health officials as they deboarded the plane. Deplaning and having temperature taken pic.twitter.com/MVxWqJPLTe — Larry Coben (@LarryCoben) September 5, 2018 A flight from New York to Florida was diverted earlier this year, when passengers reported burning throats from an unidentified substance which smelled like "dirty socks," according to reports. This is a developing story and more details are awaited<doc-sep>NEW A vastly improved search engine helps you find the latest on companies, business leaders, and news more easily.<doc-sep>
Some 100 passengers were reported ill aboard an Emirates flight currently grounded at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. An Emirates airliner has been quarantined in New York after the passengers on board started feeling sick, NBC New York reports citing airport sources. According to the news agency, Flight 203 was en route from Dubai to New York when at least 100 out of 500 of its passengers reported feeling ill. The aircraft landed Wednesday morning at the John F. Kennedy International Airport and the Port Authority Police and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were waiting to check the passengers, while the mayor's office confirmed that the airliner was quarantined. BREAKING: An Emirates A380 in quarantine at JFK Airport right now awaiting CDC officials after about 100 passengers became ill with fevers over 100 degrees and coughing. Flight 203 had just arrived from Dubai. pic.twitter.com/lyUgNbMaEW — Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) 5 сентября 2018 г. Law enforcement sources told NBC that seven to ten people on board were taken to hospital. ​One of the passengers aboard the aircraft managed to snap a photo of emergency response vehicles parked outside on the runway. A dozen protesters police cars meeting my retienen flight to JFK. What’s up @emirates? pic.twitter.com/qjpbQbfF4K — Larry Coben (@LarryCoben) 5 сентября 2018 г. ​The passenger also told NBC that while he was informed about people being sick aboard the plane, he hasn't seen "any evidence", though he also added that the plane "is two levels. The mayor's office also reportedly said that the plane made a stop in Mecca which is currently experiencing an outbreak of flu, and that "early indications point to that as a possibility."