On October 18, medical personnel wearing “hazmat suits” boarded a plane following a suspected norovirus outbreak that left three passengers hospitalized.
Nathalie Gombik, who filmed ambulances on the runway and medics entering the aircraft, said passengers had started vomiting during the flight.
“I know for certain that three passengers were affected, but it appeared that approximately three more were also experiencing symptoms. Some passengers were vomiting during the flight,” the 28-year-old bartender from Germany told NeedToKnow.
Gombik also praised Eurowings’ cabin crew for keeping the situation under control.
Eurowings flight EW9631 took off from the Greek island of Rhodes, bound for Düsseldorf, Germany. Reports and speculation have suggested the illness' spread may have been linked to a norovirus outbreak on Rhodes that began in July.
Indeed, norovirus cases have been increasing in the past couple of years. But what do we know about this virus, really?
Norovirus, often called a “stomach bug,” is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the US. The highly contagious stomach virus typically spreads more widely during colder months, with cases peaking between November and April.
For a closer look at what causes norovirus, as well as its symptoms and treatment options, click through for a detailed overview.