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Several Passengers, Crew on American Airlines Flight Complain of Symptoms of SARS
Aired April 01, 2003 - 15:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Meantime, as we follow this, and of course events on the war in Iraq, we're also following a story unfolding in Asia and in the United States, as it turns out. And that is an American Airlines flight that left Tokyo earlier today, landed in San Jose, California today with several passengers and crew complaining of the symptoms of this new mystery illness called SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. These are some scenes from the San Jose Airport a short time ago.
Right now, joining us on the telephone is a passenger on that American Airlines flight. His name is Brian Tak. Mr. Tak, are you with us? And tell us where you are and what happened.
BRYAN TAK, AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER: I'm right outside the baggage claim. And basically what happened was we didn't know anything about anybody on board that had possibly this kind of symptom. However, after we landed, the pilot notified us that there were five passengers who were connecting from Hong Kong on this flight to San Jose.
So after we landed we waited for about an hour and a half to two hours, just for the officials to decide what course of action they need to take. And actually, eventually what happened was, I believe -- I'm not exactly sure of the numbers, but four or five of those passengers were taken off the plane by the folks with white gowns and masks. And after that, the rest of us were taken to the gate, our normal gate, and we deplaned from that gate.
WOODRUFF: We're talking with Brian Tak, who was a passenger on that American Airlines flight from Tokyo. Mr. Tak, did you -- we are also told that some of the five might have been crewmembers. Did you see any of those who were apparently not feeling well?
TAK: No. Actually, I was sitting at the coach section, and I believe most of them were at the first class section. So I did not get to see any of those passengers or the crewmembers.
WOODRUFF: What instructions did you receive, Mr. Tak, before you disembarked, before you got off the plane, from any health officials about what you should do if you exhibit any symptoms? What did they say to you?
TAK: The local -- I believe the county doctor told us that she did not believe or heard of any cases where this disease was spreading within the airplane confines. However, when we went through the immigration, they give us a health alert notice from CDC. The instructions on what to look for and also who to contact if we have any kind of symptoms.
WOODRUFF: So do you feel pretty secure about it?
TAK: Yes, I believe so.
WOODRUFF: Well, we certainly hope so. Brian Tak joining us. I didn't even ask you where you were from, but we hope you are safe and sound and healthy, as all the other passengers on board. Again, that American Airlines flight from Tokyo had some passengers on board who had had a connection from Hong Kong, and at least five of those were described as feeling ill and having symptoms of this mystery illness.
We're calling it a mystery illness, although now it has been described as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. And health authorities taking no chances, putting those people into ambulances, getting them to a health facility, health care facility, and then briefing the other passengers on board this American Airlines flight as to what to do if they begin to exhibit symptoms themselves.
So following this story. And, of course, our ongoing coverage of the war in Iraq continues after a short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WOODRUFF: Our coverage of the war in Iraq continues. But right now, we want to bring you up to date on new developments about this illness known as SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Canadian television is reporting that two more Canadians have now died of this so-called mystery illness, which has just been made public some weeks ago.
Originating in Asia, in the cities of Hong Kong, Hanoi, in Vietnam, in Singapore, and in parts of China. Again, just now Canada has confirmed two deaths, bringing to six the number killed by this pneumonia-like illness that has taken root in Toronto. That's where these two deaths have been reported.
With us now, CNN medical affairs correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. Elizabeth, six in Canada. What would that make the overall total now at this point?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: I don't know what the overall total in Canada would be. In the entire world there has been approximately -- along the order of 60 people have died of SARS in the entire world. In the United States, there have been no deaths and there have been 72 cases.
Let's talk, Judy, a little bit about what happened in San Jose. CDC procedures are that, if people are sick on a plane from certain parts of Asia, then what happens is that that plane lands and those people are taken off the plane and are isolated and are interviewed so that doctors can try to figure out what's causing the problem. Remember, they don't know that it's SARS. SARS means a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and some respiratory problems, such as coughing. There are lots of illnesses that fit that definition. So they need to find out is it SARS or isn't it SARS.
And then what they do is the rest of passengers -- in this case, they've let them off the plane. And what they usually do is, in this case, they would take their names and they would say, we need to know where to reach you in the next 10 days. Because if it does turn out to be SARS, obviously the people who were on the plane need to know that and they need to watch for the symptoms.
What they are trying to avoid in the United States is what has happened in Canada, which is that you get people traveling from around the world to the United States, they get sick, and they then pass it on in large numbers to other people. That has not happened in the United States yet. However, health authorities, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson said here at the CDC to reporters, that may happen here. And if that does happen, then we would need to consider a quarantine -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: All right. Elizabeth Cohen giving us more information about this illness known as SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Something we've been following, Elizabeth.
Two more deaths reported in Canada. The plane on the ground in San Jose. Clearly more cases. And, as you say, medical authorities working feverishly now to try to get to the bottom of it and to try to get the word out to prevent its spread.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Complain of Symptoms of SARS>
Aired April 1, 2003 - 15:36 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Meantime, as we follow this, and of course events on the war in Iraq, we're also following a story unfolding in Asia and in the United States, as it turns out. And that is an American Airlines flight that left Tokyo earlier today, landed in San Jose, California today with several passengers and crew complaining of the symptoms of this new mystery illness called SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. These are some scenes from the San Jose Airport a short time ago.
Right now, joining us on the telephone is a passenger on that American Airlines flight. His name is Brian Tak. Mr. Tak, are you with us? And tell us where you are and what happened.
BRYAN TAK, AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSENGER: I'm right outside the baggage claim. And basically what happened was we didn't know anything about anybody on board that had possibly this kind of symptom. However, after we landed, the pilot notified us that there were five passengers who were connecting from Hong Kong on this flight to San Jose.
So after we landed we waited for about an hour and a half to two hours, just for the officials to decide what course of action they need to take. And actually, eventually what happened was, I believe -- I'm not exactly sure of the numbers, but four or five of those passengers were taken off the plane by the folks with white gowns and masks. And after that, the rest of us were taken to the gate, our normal gate, and we deplaned from that gate.
WOODRUFF: We're talking with Brian Tak, who was a passenger on that American Airlines flight from Tokyo. Mr. Tak, did you -- we are also told that some of the five might have been crewmembers. Did you see any of those who were apparently not feeling well?
TAK: No. Actually, I was sitting at the coach section, and I believe most of them were at the first class section. So I did not get to see any of those passengers or the crewmembers.
WOODRUFF: What instructions did you receive, Mr. Tak, before you disembarked, before you got off the plane, from any health officials about what you should do if you exhibit any symptoms? What did they say to you?
TAK: The local -- I believe the county doctor told us that she did not believe or heard of any cases where this disease was spreading within the airplane confines. However, when we went through the immigration, they give us a health alert notice from CDC. The instructions on what to look for and also who to contact if we have any kind of symptoms.
WOODRUFF: So do you feel pretty secure about it?
TAK: Yes, I believe so.
WOODRUFF: Well, we certainly hope so. Brian Tak joining us. I didn't even ask you where you were from, but we hope you are safe and sound and healthy, as all the other passengers on board. Again, that American Airlines flight from Tokyo had some passengers on board who had had a connection from Hong Kong, and at least five of those were described as feeling ill and having symptoms of this mystery illness.
We're calling it a mystery illness, although now it has been described as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. And health authorities taking no chances, putting those people into ambulances, getting them to a health facility, health care facility, and then briefing the other passengers on board this American Airlines flight as to what to do if they begin to exhibit symptoms themselves.
So following this story. And, of course, our ongoing coverage of the war in Iraq continues after a short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WOODRUFF: Our coverage of the war in Iraq continues. But right now, we want to bring you up to date on new developments about this illness known as SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Canadian television is reporting that two more Canadians have now died of this so-called mystery illness, which has just been made public some weeks ago.
Originating in Asia, in the cities of Hong Kong, Hanoi, in Vietnam, in Singapore, and in parts of China. Again, just now Canada has confirmed two deaths, bringing to six the number killed by this pneumonia-like illness that has taken root in Toronto. That's where these two deaths have been reported.
With us now, CNN medical affairs correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. Elizabeth, six in Canada. What would that make the overall total now at this point?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN MEDICAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: I don't know what the overall total in Canada would be. In the entire world there has been approximately -- along the order of 60 people have died of SARS in the entire world. In the United States, there have been no deaths and there have been 72 cases.
Let's talk, Judy, a little bit about what happened in San Jose. CDC procedures are that, if people are sick on a plane from certain parts of Asia, then what happens is that that plane lands and those people are taken off the plane and are isolated and are interviewed so that doctors can try to figure out what's causing the problem. Remember, they don't know that it's SARS. SARS means a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and some respiratory problems, such as coughing. There are lots of illnesses that fit that definition. So they need to find out is it SARS or isn't it SARS.
And then what they do is the rest of passengers -- in this case, they've let them off the plane. And what they usually do is, in this case, they would take their names and they would say, we need to know where to reach you in the next 10 days. Because if it does turn out to be SARS, obviously the people who were on the plane need to know that and they need to watch for the symptoms.
What they are trying to avoid in the United States is what has happened in Canada, which is that you get people traveling from around the world to the United States, they get sick, and they then pass it on in large numbers to other people. That has not happened in the United States yet. However, health authorities, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson said here at the CDC to reporters, that may happen here. And if that does happen, then we would need to consider a quarantine -- Judy.
WOODRUFF: All right. Elizabeth Cohen giving us more information about this illness known as SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Something we've been following, Elizabeth.
Two more deaths reported in Canada. The plane on the ground in San Jose. Clearly more cases. And, as you say, medical authorities working feverishly now to try to get to the bottom of it and to try to get the word out to prevent its spread.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Complain of Symptoms of SARS>
