Etihad disinfects aircraft after passenger may have had Ebola

Etihad Airways has disinfected one of its planes after the Health Authority Abu Dhabi announced that a Nigerian woman who died after flying into Abu Dhabi may have been infected with the Ebola virus.

ABU DHABI // Etihad Airways has disinfected one of its planes as a precaution after health officials said a Nigerian passenger who died after flying into Abu Dhabi may have been infected with the Ebola virus.

“Haad [Health Authority – Abu Dhabi] said that although she displayed symptoms consistent with an Ebola viral infection, her existing medical condition provided an adequate medical explanation for her death, and the UAE Ministry of Health stated that there is no risk to the community, fellow passengers or airport staff as a result of this incident,” an airline spokesman said on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Haad said the 35-year-old woman was travelling from Nigeria to India for cancer treatment.

Nigeria is one of many West African countries battling to contain the virus that, as of last week, had killed 961 people, according to the World Health Organisation.

The woman’s husband and five medics who resuscitated her are in isolation pending the result of Ebola testing on the patient. They are all well with no symptoms, Haad said.

The Ministry of Health assured the public that there is no risk to the community, to fellow passengers on the plane from Nigeria and those in the airport, reported state news agency Wam.