A second healthcare worker from Texas Presbyterian Hospital diagnosed with the Ebola virus traveled on a Frontier Airlines flight the day prior to first reporting symptoms, according to CDC officials.
The patient traveled Frontier Airlines Flight 1143 Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth Oct. 13, and reported to the hospital on Oct. 14 with a low-grade fever and was isolated.
Because of the proximity in time between the evening flight and first report of illness the following morning, CDC is reaching out to all 132 passengers who flew on the flight, asking them to call 1 800-CDC INFO (1 800 232-4636). After 1 p.m. ET, public health professionals will begin interviewing passengers about the flight, answering their questions, and arranging follow up. Individuals who are determined to be at any potential risk will be actively monitored.
The healthcare worker exhibited no signs or symptoms of illness while on Flight 1143, according to the crew.
Frontier Airlines today issued a statement regarding Flight 1143:
At approximately 1:00 a.m. MT on October 15, Frontier was notified by the CDC that a customer traveling on Frontier Airlines flight 1143 Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth on Oct. 13 has since tested positive for the Ebola virus. The flight landed in Dallas/Fort Worth at 8:16 p.m. local and remained overnight at the airport having completed its flying for the day at which point the aircraft received a thorough cleaning per our normal procedures which is consistent with CDC guidelines prior to returning to service the next day. It was also cleaned again in Cleveland last night. Previously the customer had traveled from Dallas Fort Worth to Cleveland on Frontier flight 1142 on October 10.
Frontier responded immediately upon notification from the CDC by removing the aircraft from service and is working closely with CDC to identify and contact customers who may traveled on Flight 1143.