Hazmat crews descended on Logan Airport Monday afternoon after five passengers were reported to have flu-like symptoms. Health officials confirmed that the five people are on their way to nearby hospitals.

Update: Ebola Didn’t Sicken Logan Airport Passengers or Patient at Beth Israel

According to the Boston Globe, Massport spokesperson Matt Brelis said “hazmat teams began responding to concerns about Flight 237 at about 2:45 p.m. on Monday.” The ailing passengers were escorted off the plane wearing protective suits.

None of the passengers, Massport made clear, traveled to West Africa recently where the Ebola virus has already killed more than 3,000 people. They were, according to WCVB, previously in Mecca on a pilgrimage. WCVB notes further that Emirates was the first major airline to suspend service to West Africa.

On Monday, doctors at Beth Israel released a statement that a patient also suffering from symptoms resembling those of Ebola is unlikely to have the virus.

“The City and our partners at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health were in constant contact today as news of an Ebola scare began to break,” said Mayor Marty Walsh.

He continued,

Today’s efforts reinforced my belief that the City is more than prepared to deal with any scenario like this. We take any threat to public health very seriously, but we must educate ourselves about Ebola precautions and do what we can to quell unnecessary public panic. Our emergency preparedness plans are recognized as national models, and I have full confidence in our departments and healthcare organizations that we can keep Bostonians safe and healthy.

According to en eerie TIME magazine article, the Ebola virus was first observed by the human eye on this day 38-years ago.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to BostInno for more information as it continues to be made available.

But Massport confirms none have traveled to West Africa where Ebola is rampant.
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