An American Eagle passenger who was ill was cleared by Midland Memorial Hospital after authorities transported her from Midland International Air and Space Port Tuesday evening.
The captain of the flight headed to Midland from Dallas called roughly 20 minutes before the plane landed at 11:05 p.m. Tuesday to alert authorities that a female passenger was displaying flu-like symptoms. The passenger had reportedly been vomiting in flight. Due to the recent, widespread media coverage regarding the Ebola virus, the pilot alluded to the fact that several other passengers on board were concerned Ebola could be the cause. Midland Fire Department personnel stationed at the airport prepared to respond before the flight landed and then boarded the plane to assess the situation. Midland Emergency Management, Health Department, and Airport Operations personnel provided support to first responders in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control. The female passenger was vomiting but did not have a fever. She was traveling from Istanbul, Turkey, which has not had any confirmed Ebola cases.
Authorities took infectious disease precautions in transporting the passenger to Midland Memorial Hospital to be treated and monitored. The patient was admitted through a controlled access, specially-designed entrance directly into an isolation room. She was also assigned one dedicated nurse who did further medical testing, including blood draws, throat swabs and other physical evaluations. The patient was then evaluated by an Emergency Department physician who also consulted with CDC officials regarding the case. Based on the physician’s assessment and the CDC recommendation, Ebola was completely ruled out as potential cause.
All other passengers on the flight were also evaluated and released based on no evidence of questionable medical conditions.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Bustilloz