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Passenger yells 'I have ebola' on flight

An American traveling to the Dominican Republic found out why joking about having a deadly and contagious disease on a plane is a poor idea.

By Gabrielle Levy
(UPI Photo/Kamenko Pajic)
(UPI Photo/Kamenko Pajic) | License Photo

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- An American man learned the hard way that joking about having Ebola on a crowed flight is the quickest way to miss your Caribbean vacation.

A U.S. Airways flight from Philadelphia to Punta Cana Wednesday was met by health officials upon landing after a 54-year-old man shouted a joke about the deadly viral disease during the flight.

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"I have Ebola, you are all screwed," the passenger is alleged to have shouted.

Walter Zemialkowski, the director of operations for the International Airport of Punta Cana confirmed that the plane was isolated upon landing and boarded by a medical team clad in hazmat suits.

The passenger was escorted from the plane and taken to a medical area where he was rigorously tested.

"We delivered the passenger to the airline, which has its policy, but he will be returned to the United States, where he will be submitted to another rigorous check," Zemialkowski said.

U.S. officials confirmed that the man had not traveled to any areas affected by Ebola.

Video shot by another passenger on the flight showed health crews rushing onto the plane in their blue suits.

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Before they board, a flight attendant can be heard reassuring passengers.

"It's going to look worse than it is," she said.

Then, she says what everyone else must have been thinking: "I've done this for 36 years. I think the man that has said this is an idiot."

Passengers can heard booing the man as he is removed from the plane, shouting "I ain't from Africa."

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