Rash Scare Briefly Locks Down Plane on Chicago Tarmac

A Delta Airlines flight from Detroit to Chicago was briefly held on the tarmac at Midway Airport after a health scare brought health officials out.  A female passenger who had recently been to Africa appeared to have a rash, and passengers were kept on the plane as local and Federal authorities worked to determine its cause and the level of danger to the patient and other passengers.  The flight was cleared, and passengers were sent on their way.

Passengers said they were scared by the unusual experience:

READ a statement from the Centers for Disease Control on the situation BELOW:

CDC received a report earlier this evening of a passenger on a plane at Midway Airport who had a rash. Since the passenger had been in Africa, a family member had reported concerns that the rash might be monkeypox. The passenger was evaluated by Chicago Emergency Medical Services. Medical staff at CDC and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) reviewed the case and, based on the patient’s symptoms and photographs of the rash, it does not appear that the signs and symptoms are consistent with a monkeypox infection. The ill passenger was advised to seek medical care and the rest of the passengers were released from the plane. CDC and CDPH believe there is very little risk to other passengers. However, out of an abundance of caution, the airline will be collecting contact information for other passengers should CDC need to contact them in the future.