Patient with viral meningitis causes illness scare on Nashville plane
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — UPDATE: 11:30 a.m.
Vanderbilt doctors say a woman at the center of an illness scare that caused a plane to be quarantined in Nashville had viral meningitis.
A doctor told FOX 17 News the patient was not infectious or contagious at the time.
Passengers were held for more than an hour Thursday morning after the woman apparently was overheard talking about her illness, causing passengers to become uncomfortable and worried.
Among those passengers was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who tweeted and joked about the incident.
For safety, passengers were held by police until contact was made with the doctor who could confirm that she had clearance, which she did.
Mike Kohr, who was traveling with his pregnant wife from California, said a lack of answers led to even more confusion.
“I’m concerned because my wife is pregnant, and I didn’t want her breathing in the same air of someone being quarantined, which raised some suspicion and fear and just waiting for the unknown," Kohr said. "No one knew on the plane, the captain didn’t know, flight attendants didn’t know no one had an answer.”
All passengers have since been given the all-clear to continue with their travels.
UPDATE: 6:50 a.m.
American Airlines says a passenger has been cleared after an illness scare on a flight at Nashville International Airport and all passengers have been deplaned.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was on flight number 1289 from Los Angeles that was grounded for about two hours Thursday morning.
The plane was taken to a remote portion of the airport where emergency personal responded to the scene.
A Nashville International Airport Spokeswoman said the passenger, a woman, was medically "ill" and cleared to fly, but didn't have her paperwork. The passenger was apparently talking about the illness, causing other passengers to become uncomfortable and worried.
For safety, passengers were held by police until contact was made with the doctor who could confirm that she had clearance, which she did.
Mike Kohr, who was traveling with his pregnant wife from California, said a lack of answers led to even more confusion.
“I’m concerned because my wife is pregnant, and I didn’t want her breathing in the same air of someone being quarantined, which raised some suspicion and fear and just waiting for the unknown," Kohr said. "No one knew on the plane, the captain didn’t know, flight attendants didn’t know no one had an answer.”
All passengers have since been given the all-clear to continue with their travels.
The plane's next flight, number 1292 from BNA to Los Angeles, has been delayed and is expected to depart at 7:10 a.m.
UPDATE: 6:15 a.m.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee is on a plane in Nashville that has been quarantined for illness.
Huckabee tweeted Thursday morning that he had been on the American Airlines flight from Los Angeles when it became grounded in Nashville for 40 minutes to do someone on board having an illness.
According to an American Airlines spokeswoman, flight number 1289 from Los Angeles to Nashville had a passenger that was displaying signs of illness.
Once the plane landed at Nashville International Airport, passengers and crew were told to stay on the plane until a physician from Vanderbilt Hospital checked out the Passenger.
FOX 17 News reporters saw one woman get off the plane with a medical mask on and taken away by ambulance.
The plane was taken to a remote portion of the airport where emergency personal were waiting for the plane.
Keep refreshing this page for updates.
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NASHVILLE, TN (WZTV) -- Passengers on board a flight from Los Angeles California may have been exposed to an illness.
According to an American Airlines spokeswoman, flight number 1289 from Los Angeles to Nashville had a passenger that was displaying signs of illness.
Once the plane landed at Nashville International Airport, passengers and crew were told to stay on the plane until a physician from Vanderbilt Hospital checked out the Passenger.
The plane was taken to a remote portion of the airport where emergency personal were waiting for the plane.
This is a developing story, stay with Fox 17 News on air and online for the latest on this breaking news story.
