The plane, which arrived from Dubai at 9:12 am, was immediately taken to a location away from the terminal, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Medical personnel from the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) then boarded to assist the ailing passengers, who complained primarily of fever and coughs.
Ten of the passengers were quickly transported to the hospital, according to Eric Phillips, a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio. Nine others were reportedly feeling sick but refused medical attention.
Health officials were unsure what prompted the illness, but symptoms pointed to the flu, Mr Phillips said. He added that several of the passengers boarded the plane after visiting Mecca, which is currently experiencing a flu outbreak.
Emirates Airlines issued a statement shortly after the plane landed, saying that 10 passengers had fallen ill and all other passengers would be allowed to disembark soon. But only about half of the passengers had exited the plane and been cleared to continue travelling by 11:30am, according to the mayor's office.
Video taken from inside the plane after it landed showed a tense scene, with airline employees urging passengers to stay out of the aisles.
"Worst flight ever Dubai to NYC; plane was basically a flying infermary[sic]," tweeted one passenger as she waited on the tarmac. "Many of these people should never have been allowed to board. Now sitting on the ground after 14 hour flight unable to leave."
The woman also posted video of passengers who appeared to be getting their temperatures checked by medical-mask-clad officials. The Port Authority said all passengers were being screened by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
"The [Port Authority Police Department] and Port Authority airport operations staff are coordinating closely and providing support to the CDC and CBP as necessary," the agency said in a statement.
The New York Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau confirmed they were monitoring a "medical situation" at the airport. The New York Fire Department was also on the scene.
The CDC said in a statement that they were aware of passengers who reported an "unspecified illness", and were working with local authorities to investigate.
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