Emirates Flight 203 landed in New York Wednesday shortly after 9 a.m. with 500 people on board. It was a direct flight from Dubai and did not make a stop in Mecca as the New York mayor’s office erroneously reported earlier.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m., Emirates Airlines said only about 10 passengers from Dubai had taken ill. Previous reports estimated the number of sick passengers at closer to 100 people.

“On arrival, as a precaution, they were attended to by local health authorities,” it said. “All others will disembark shortly. The safety & care of our customers is our first priority.”

A government source briefed on situation said there was no evidence of a security or terror issue. Emirates‘ home office told U.S. officials it believes this incident was caused by food poisoning.

The flight did not go to a terminal but was directed to a hard stand area as emergency medical response teams investigated the cause of the illness.

Eric Phillips, spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio, noted health officials were taking people off the plane one by one checking for symptoms and sending those cleared on to customs.

Didn't the first episode of The Strain start this very same way?

I've seen this movie.


I'll be in my bunker in the mountains.

No quarantine.

No need. Cholera is not easily spread, and is eliminated by modern sewage treatment.