This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7393500.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Canadian train put in quarantine Quarantined train given all-clear
(about 7 hours later)
A train in Canada with about 280 people on board has been put under quarantine, after one passenger died and several others reported flu-like symptoms. Canadian health officials have said the death of a woman and several people falling ill aboard a train were not due to an infectious disease.
The authorities say they do not believe there is a connection between the death and the illnesses. The passenger train was quarantined in Northern Ontario on Friday, but officials said the death and illnesses were probably not related at all.
The train was travelling from Vancouver to Toronto when a woman in her 60s fell ill and died on Friday morning. The 290 passengers and crew resumed their journey and were expected to arrive in Toronto later on Saturday.
The authorities say they are keeping passengers and crew on the train while they await the results of tests. Ontario's chief medical officer said the dead woman did not have a disease.
Dr David Williams said: "Health officials have determined that the death of the passenger and the illness of the other six passengers are not related."
But while he said the other illnesses reported were not related, Dr Williams added it was important to anticipate the worst scenario.
"Retrospectively, maybe someone can say it was over done but if, say, there was a real problem then it certainly would have been appropriate and it was appropriate," he said.
Praised operation
The train had been travelling from Vancouver to Toronto when a woman in her 60s fell ill and died on Friday morning.
The train was stopped in the tiny hamlet of Foleyet in northern Ontario and surrounded by emergency services, who evacuated the local station.The train was stopped in the tiny hamlet of Foleyet in northern Ontario and surrounded by emergency services, who evacuated the local station.
A second passenger was airlifted to hospital, where she was diagnosed with a respiratory illness and is said to be in a stable condition. Emergency and medical officials boarded the train in biohazard suits and masks and a second passenger was airlifted to hospital, where she was diagnosed with a respiratory illness and is said to be in a stable condition.
Three day journey
Dr David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer, said that the woman who died did not have an infectious disease and that the illnesses were not related.
For a little town that usually has only two police officers, it's been very busy here Carol Woodhouse, Foleyet resident
"While the cause of death continues to be under investigation, it has been determined that the deceased did most likely not have an infectious disease," Dr Williams told a news conference.
Five other passengers who complained of mild flu-like symptoms had been quarantined in a separate carriage and treated by a doctor, who was "not concerned for their immediate health," Ontario Provincial Police Staff Sergeant Rob Knox said.Five other passengers who complained of mild flu-like symptoms had been quarantined in a separate carriage and treated by a doctor, who was "not concerned for their immediate health," Ontario Provincial Police Staff Sergeant Rob Knox said.
The emergency services evacuated the station Dr Williams praised the way the operation was carried out.
The train was on its final leg of a three day trip and is expected to continue its journey and arrive in Toronto on Saturday. "I'm satisfied that the appropriate steps were taken," he said.
Carol Woodhouse, who works in Foleyet, told CBC News that a medical helicopter and five ambulances had been called to the railway station. "A lot of people acted in a calm, collected way and went about their duties and responsibilities accordingly."
"For a little town that usually has only two police officers, it's been very busy here," she said. A 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Toronto killed dozens of people and caused widespread panic.
Several hospitals in Ontario and Quebec have recently experienced outbreaks of C-Difficile, a bacterium that causes intestinal problems. "We're taking precautions and we did learn lessons from SARS, so our medical teams and the health care system in general have learned that you would put safety first," said health ministry official Laurel Ostfield.

Are you near the area? Do you know someone who is on the train? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Name