Canada quarantines two Caribbean flights

Thursday, January 27, 2005

REGINA, Canada (UPI): Canadian officials quarantined two flights from the Dominican Republic over fears passengers were contaminated with the highly contagious Norwalk virus.

Health Canada ordered 200 passengers on board the first flight into Regina for three hours late Tuesday after one woman became sick and eight others showed similar symptoms.

The stomach virus causes vomiting and diarrhea for 24 to 72 hours, and often spreads through the vomit or feces of an infected person through unwashed hands.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp., said a doctor on board consulted with health officials, and emergency vehicles were dispatched to take the sick woman to the hospital.

Soon after, another plane landing in Ottawa from the Dominican Republic with 177 aboard was quarantined for two hours because of similar concerns.

Passengers were allowed to continue after Health Canada determined four sick people's symptoms were likely caused by flu, not the Norwalk virus.

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