Five fall ill on flight from US

A Continental Airlines aircraft was isolated at Dublin airport yesterday after five passengers became ill on the flight from Newark in New Jersey.

The five were part of a group of 24 university students from Philadelphia. Another student who was due to travel with them became ill before getting on the flight and was unable to travel.

It is understood the group had been at a party the previous night and those who had become ill had eaten a chicken dish.

When the aircraft landed at Dublin airport yesterday morning, it was isolated and only authorised personnel were allowed on board. A doctor visited the aircraft and administered injections to the five who had been ill.

There were 175 passengers on the aircraft and those not involved with the group were allowed to leave after the doctor had examined the sick passengers. Three who needed further treatment were taken to Beaumont Hospital.

Last night, a hospital spokesman said the three students had been diagnosed with gastroenteritis and had been given the all-clear to leave the hospital in the afternoon. It is understood the group of students was travelling to Co Down.

Passengers waiting to board the return flight to Newark were delayed for a few hours as a result. A Dublin Airport Authority spokeswoman said that, apart from the delay, the incident had not caused much disruption at the airport.