An Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal as a precautionary measure after a passenger was allowed to board in error despite recently visiting East Africa amid the Ebola virus outbreak. The aircraft touched down in Montreal following a mid-air emergency sparked by fears that the passenger might have been exposed to the virus.
Passenger Boarded in Error
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Air France passenger was permitted to board flight 378 in Paris 'in error' after recently travelling to East Africa, which is currently grappling with the Ebola outbreak. CBP stated: "Due to entry restrictions put in place to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus, the passenger should not have boarded the plane. CBP took decisive action and prohibited the flight carrying that traveler from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and instead, diverted to Montreal, Canada."
It remained unclear whether the passenger was displaying any symptoms of the condition. A flight tracker revealed the aircraft landing in Montreal at 5:15 PM. From there, it is understood the passenger was removed from the plane before it could resume its journey towards Detroit, touching down at 8:00 PM.
Travel Restrictions and Screenings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Homeland Security announced a 30-day travel prohibition on May 18 for non-US passport holders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. Screenings were also implemented for all travellers who departed from airports in those nations or have visited them in the previous 21 days.
Air France confirmed that a Congolese passenger aboard was refused entry into the United States. A source from Air France in Paris confirmed that cabin crew immediately donned masks upon being alerted to the passenger, in line with standard protocol.
"Under new regulations, passengers arriving from certain countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, may only enter US territory via Washington (IAD) Airport," the statement read. "There was no medical emergency on board, and like all airlines, Air France is required to comply with the entry requirements of the countries it serves."
WHO Declares Public Health Emergency
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, owing to fears regarding its "scale and speed." The WHO confirmed on Wednesday that 51 cases have been verified in Congo's northern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, alongside two cases in Uganda. The toll stands at 139 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases.
