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Air France Flight Diverted to Montreal Over Passenger From Congo
An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was redirected to Montreal on Wednesday after a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo boarded in error. U.S. authorities cited entry restrictions tied to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
May 21, 10:22 AM·2m read4 sources
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An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal on Wednesday after a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo boarded the plane in error. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the passenger should not have been allowed on board because of entry restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus.
M. ET. U.S. authorities and stated there was no medical emergency on board. U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said the agency took decisive action by prohibiting the flight from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The passenger was assessed by a Public Health Agency of Canada quarantine officer and determined to be asymptomatic.
The passenger was then placed on a flight back to Paris. Remaining passengers continued to Detroit aboard the same aircraft.
U.S. passports who had traveled to Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past three weeks would be restricted from entering the country. -bound flights carrying foreign travelers who have been in those countries in the previous 21 days to fly into Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
U.S. must also only fly into Washington-Dulles. The CDC and DHS will apply enhanced public health screening at the airport.
The current Ebola outbreak centered in eastern Congo was confirmed May 15 by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization said Wednesday there were at least 600 suspected Ebola cases so far, including 139 suspected deaths from the virus.
Health officials say the outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. A vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain is most likely months away from human trials, and there is no guarantee it would work, the WHO said Wednesday.
Ebola can only spread if a person is showing symptoms, according to the CDC. " — Dr. U.S. authorities were not allowing the plane to land. Flight attendants then put on face masks. S.
