A United Airlines flight from Vancouver to Houston turned into a medical drama on Friday when around 30 passengers fell ill with flu-like symptoms shortly after disembarking from a cruise ship.
United Flight 1528 landed at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport around 6:20 p.m. local time carrying 163 passengers and 6 crew members. However, the routine flight took an unsettling turn when approximately a third of a 75-person travel group on board began exhibiting concerning symptoms.
According to the Houston Fire Department, around 25-30 passengers complained of nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues consistent with a potential virus or illness. While the exact cause remains unknown, the cluster of sick passengers had all been traveling together on the same cruise prior to their flight.
Upon landing, emergency medical crews conducted evaluations on three particularly ill passengers. Ultimately, their conditions did not require hospitalization, though the episode sparked concerns about a potential infectious outbreak.
United Airlines stated it is coordinating with health authorities to investigate the cause and source of the mysterious illnesses. As a precautionary measure, the aircraft underwent an intensive deep cleaning after the incident to prevent any potential spread.
“Ensuring the health and safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline stated. United Airlines did not disclose any additional details about the cruise the affected passengers had completed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also responded, with officials from its regional quarantine station evaluating the situation. The CDC reported to USA Today that most cases involved mild gastrointestinal symptoms with no fevers, and no further public health actions were recommended at this time.
The incident bears some similarities to a case last month when dozens of passengers fell violently ill on a Condor Airlines flight from Mauritius to Germany with nausea and vomiting. Authorities ultimately could not determine a clear cause in that case either.
While unsettling, incidents of passengers exhibiting illness symptoms are not unprecedented, particularly among travel groups returning from cruises where viruses can spread rapidly in close quarters. Health experts stress that routine sanitization and monitoring can help limit any broader impacts or spread.
United has not indicated any other disruptions as the aircraft was cleared to return to service following the cleaning.
