LAFD Responds to Woman Believed to Have Ebola at LAX

A passenger manifesting flu-like symptoms aboard United Airlines flight 703 from New York and landing in Los Angeles at 1:50 p.m. has been examined for exposure to the Ebola virus, but according to authorities they do not believe that she is infected with the disease.

The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at 1:28 p.m. to Los Angeles International Airport responding to reports that an ill patient on an in-bound flight was vomiting and exhibiting flu-like symptoms, prompting fears of an Ebola exposure, CBS Los Angeles reported.

There were 142 passengers and six crew members on the plane. Captain Jamie Moore from the LAFD said at an afternoon news conference that the department followed protocol mandated by the Centers for Disease Control, after being notified that the ill woman had contact with West Africa.

“Due to the concern and the nature of the illness, the Los Angeles Fire Department felt it very important to handle this following the CDC procedures,” Moore said. “It has turned out that there had been some miscommunication. This person had been to the continent of Africa but not near West Africa. As a matter of a fact, it was South Africa.” More believes that the patient had experienced air-sickness.

CBS further reported that the plane had been diverted to a separate runway in order to prevent unnecessary fear, according to Moore. Initially, crews were seen boarding the plane wearing containment suits.

On Sunday, Dr. Thomas Frieden the Director of the CDC blamed a nurse who contracted Ebola in Dallas for having violated protocols when she removed her hazmat suit while assisting patient Thomas Eric Duncan who died on Wednesday from Ebola exposure.