Kansas: Flight quarantined after passengers complain of SARS-like symptoms

The Wichita Eagle ^ | 6/13/03 | The Wichita Eagle Staff writer

[Pro-Bush]

Flight quarantined after passengers complain of SARS-like symptoms

A regularly scheduled American Eagle flight from Dallas to Wichita was quarantined shortly before noon today at Mid Continent Airport when an elderly passenger on the plane complained of symptoms consistent with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.

City spokeswoman LaTricia Harper said three of the 42 passengers on the plane had spent three weeks in Hanoi, Vietnam and that during the flight, one of the three developed a severe, hacking cough which is a symptom of SARS.

All three passengers, however, were rushed from the plane to a local hospital while the other passengers and the four crew members were briefed and released.

American Airlines declined comment at this time.

American Airlines planned to sterilize the plane, which was scheduled to return to Dallas, an official said.

If a case of SARS is confirmed, the passengers will be notified, airport officials said

For more information, see Friday's Eagle.

[angkor]

Prediction: this is not SARS.

[RAT Patrol]

Oh no! Not my beloved Wichita. Yikes!

[firewalk]

bttt

[aristeides]

Ping.

[blam]

I thought Hanoi was clear of SARS?

[Pro-Bush]

we don't even know if it is SARS yet. I wouldn't go to Hanoi.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

Yeah. People get coughs. Old folks get coughs and shortness of breath. SARS would be a remote possibility even if this flight were from Beijing or Toronto, which it was not.

I have a cough right now, in fact. Not SARS: believe it.

[rwfromkansas]

KWCH broke this afternoon about it.

It looks like it was not SARS.

[Sloth]

All three passengers, however, were rushed from the plane to a local hospital while the other passengers and the four crew members were briefed and released.

Doesn't sound much like "quarantine" to me.

[RAT Patrol]

Thanks for the update, rw. That's good news.

[dozer7]

"Oh no! Not my beloved Wichita. Yikes!"

I live in wichita and followed with interest. Where I work my program has people flying to and from asia constantly. There has yet to be anyone come back with even a sniffle. Not sure what to make of this SARS "epidemic".

regards

the dozer

[RAT Patrol]

Where I work my program has people flying to and from asia constantly. Well, be careful and stay well.

[razorback-bert]

I have a cough right now, in fact. Not SARS: believe it.

TB?

[Just another Joe]

Yes, there is a virus going around KC that gives you a really bad cough, a sore throat, shortness of breath, etc.
I had it and it took about two weeks to fully recover.