A passenger on a Southwest flight who recently traveled to China and had flu-like symptoms was taken off the flight at BWI Marshall Airport on Saturday. They were evaluated by state medical officials but did not meet .
The crew contacted the airport about the passenger ahead of its arrival, according to Fran Phillips, deputy secretary for public health for Maryland鈥檚 Department of Health.
鈥淭he airport out of abundance of caution notified state authorities and wanted to make certain that this individual was handled properly,鈥� said Phillips.
Phillips said a medical team met the plane and transported the man to a medical facility, where he was examined.
The new viral illness . Because of that, Phillips said a medical exam cannot be the only thing authorities rely on to determine whether an individual needs to be tested for the 鈥減neumonia like鈥� illness that’s killed at least 56 people.
A very close look at the person鈥檚 travel history and close personal contacts over the past 14 days must also be done.
The man in this case had traveled to Bejing which is outside of the country鈥檚 quarantine zone.
Phillips said health officials determined the man didn鈥檛 meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention鈥檚 criteria to get coronavirus testing, which can only be done at the CDC.
鈥淗e did have flu-like symptoms but you know what that鈥檚 not particular unusual this time of year with so many other viruses circulating,鈥� Phillips said.
Phillips said the man was in good condition and was released.
Southwest Airlines in statement said flight 2889鈥檚 crew responded 鈥渙ut of an abundance of caution鈥漚nd 鈥渋n light of the recent concerns of the coronavirus.鈥�
鈥淥ur crew followed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for responding to concerns to ensure the Customer, and those traveling with them, receive the assistance or support they may need,鈥� the statement read.
Three U.S. states have reported cases of the deadly coronavirus.
In addition to the dozens who have died from the virus, at least 2,000 others have been diagnosed. Cases outside of China have been reported in France, Australia, Singapore, Nepal and Japan.
No deaths due to the virus have occurred outside of China.
