<p>Dozens of people were rushed off a Qantas flight for medical treatment in Sydney today after a stomach bug struck mid-journey, triggering a mass vomiting episode.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Qantas said a "number of passengers travelling in the same group on QF28 (between) Santiago and Sydney became unwell with a gastro intestinal illness" on the 14-hour journey to Australia.<br /><br />Media reports said between 20 and 30 passengers were vomiting as they disembarked in Sydney and were met by a fleet of ambulances.<br /><br />"It is believed the illness was contracted before boarding the aircraft and symptoms became evident during the flight," Qantas said in a statement.<br /><br />"The aircraft has been met by medical staff to look after the unwell passengers."<br />As a precaution, Qantas said all other passengers on the flight were advised to monitor their health closely over the next 24-48 hours.<br /><br />Health authorities said they had been advised that "26 passengers returning on a Qantas flight from Santiago, Chile, developed vomiting and diarrhoea on the plane, consistent with norovirus infection, a common cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Australia and elsewhere".<br /><br />"New South Wales Health has provided Qantas with a letter and factsheet about viral gastro to distribute to all departing passengers, as well as advice for cleaning and cabin staff," the state's health office said in a statement.<br /><br />It said the sick group was assessed by paramedics and escorted out of the airport "with minimal exposure to other passengers" after they were cleared to go home.</p>
<p>Dozens of people were rushed off a Qantas flight for medical treatment in Sydney today after a stomach bug struck mid-journey, triggering a mass vomiting episode.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Qantas said a "number of passengers travelling in the same group on QF28 (between) Santiago and Sydney became unwell with a gastro intestinal illness" on the 14-hour journey to Australia.<br /><br />Media reports said between 20 and 30 passengers were vomiting as they disembarked in Sydney and were met by a fleet of ambulances.<br /><br />"It is believed the illness was contracted before boarding the aircraft and symptoms became evident during the flight," Qantas said in a statement.<br /><br />"The aircraft has been met by medical staff to look after the unwell passengers."<br />As a precaution, Qantas said all other passengers on the flight were advised to monitor their health closely over the next 24-48 hours.<br /><br />Health authorities said they had been advised that "26 passengers returning on a Qantas flight from Santiago, Chile, developed vomiting and diarrhoea on the plane, consistent with norovirus infection, a common cause of outbreaks of gastroenteritis in Australia and elsewhere".<br /><br />"New South Wales Health has provided Qantas with a letter and factsheet about viral gastro to distribute to all departing passengers, as well as advice for cleaning and cabin staff," the state's health office said in a statement.<br /><br />It said the sick group was assessed by paramedics and escorted out of the airport "with minimal exposure to other passengers" after they were cleared to go home.</p>