Passenger on Flight Diverted From Major US City Over Ebola Scare Speaks Out

A Paris-to-Detroit flight was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo was allowed onboard. The Congo passenger de-boarded in Montreal, and the remaining passengers continued to Detroit. A passenger reported that the diversion was announced mid-flight and airline staff began masking up, which increased nervousness and prompted questions. The captain said the U.S. government did not allow landing in Detroit. The passenger said no active symptoms or Ebola signs were present. Confirmed and suspected Ebola cases in the region are reported by the CDC, and the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency of international concern. Officials are investigating how the passenger boarded, while neither airline nor health officials provided information to passengers.

"Mistor said it was about mid-fight that they were told they were being diverted and airline staff began masking up. The captain said that it was the U.S. government not allowing us to land in Detroit, she said. Mistor was a passenger on Air France flight 375. She said passengers became nervous and began asking questions after seeing staff in masks. By that point, the flight attendants all had masks on, which no one had prior to the announcement."

"So it was really concerning, like, what is going on here? Why are we not being allowed to land? she said. There are 33 confirmed cases and more than 500 suspected cases of Ebola in the Congo. There are also 105 probable cases and more than 100 suspected deaths in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC has said the risk to Americans remains low and that there have been no confirmed cases in the country during the outbreak."

"The World Health Organization declared on May 17 that the situation is a public health emergency of international concern. This particular passenger did not have any active symptoms or show any signs of any Ebola activity, Mistor said. The passenger was from the DRC, and officials are investigating how they were allowed to board the plane. Neither airline has offered us any information whatsoever. No health officials offered us any info, Mistor said."

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