LAST UPDATE | 3 Jun

A FLIGHT FROM Brussels to Newark in the United States diverted to Dublin this afternoon as a result of a medical issue onboard.

The United Airlines flight UAL998 landed at Dublin Airport and was met by a HSE infectious diseases team.

It is understood the person may have originally travelled from a region of Africa where a number of highly infectious diseases are prevalent.

In a statement to The Journal, the HSE said: “Departments of Public Health respond to notified cases of suspected infectious diseases, undertake a risk assessment of the situation and control measures are put in place, if required, to protect the public health.”

“Today, HSE National Ambulance Service and HSE Public Health undertook appropriate investigations at Dublin Airport following protocols in partnership with Dublin Airport, An Garda Síochána and Airport Police. Public Health and National Ambulance Service managed this incident according to national public health guidelines.”

Separately, the flight also had a disruptive passenger onboard.

In a statement, the Dublin Airport operator said that Flight UA998 from Brussels to New York’s Newark Airport diverted to Dublin Airport “due to reports of two separate incidents – a disruptive passenger and a suspected medical issue – on board”.

It said that appropriate protocols were put in place by Dublin Airport Operations and Airport Police for the arrival of the aircraft and that gardaí, the National Ambulance Service and HSE personnel met the aircraft on arrival.

daa Statement:

Flight UA998 from Brussels to New York's Newark Airport diverted to @DublinAirport this afternoon due to reports of two separate incidents - a disruptive passenger and a suspected medical issue - on board. ⁰⁰Appropriate protocols were put in place by Dublin… pic.twitter.com/apAcVBpjJG

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) June 3, 2024

Passengers have been advised that there is no wider impact on operations at Dublin Airport and anyone travelling this evening should plan to arrive at the airport as normal.

Additional reporting by Lauren Boland and Niall O’Connor