"Plane quarantined at San Jose, California airport"

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Plane quarantined at San Jose airport
BY KIM CURTIS
The Associated Press


SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- An American Airlines flight from Tokyo has been
quarantined on the tarmac at San Jose's airport after four people on board
complained of symptoms like those reported from the mysterious new illness
spreading through Asia, airline and city health officials said.

Two passengers and two crew members complained of symptoms similar to those
found in Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, according to city health
officials.

Flight 128 from Tokyo to Mineta San Jose International Airport was stopped
on the tarmac short of the gate, and ambulances lined up near the plane as
the 125 passengers and 14 crew members waited on board.

American Airlines notified the airport that help was needed after "the
captain was informed of a passenger needing medical assistance," said Todd
Burke, a spokesman for the airline.

More than 1,600 cases of the illness have been reported so far worldwide,
with at least 64 deaths. Officials say it's unclear whether exposure on a
flight is sufficient to infect people.


Joy Alexiou, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clara County Public Health
Department, said the passengers and crew members who feel sick will be
transported to a hospital for chest X-rays and to have their travel history
checked.

"This thing seems to spread a little easier than first anticipated, so we
want to take every precaution," Alexiou said.

Others on the plane will be given medical advice and allowed to depart --
but told to immediately contact a doctor if they develop any symptoms, she
said.

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