Flight passenger had meningitis

A passenger who reported feeling unwell on board today’s Air Malta flight from Malta to Rome Fiumicino had meningitis.

The airline said it took the required precautionary measures in line with its procedures for incidents of this nature.

The aircraft involved was temporarily grounded in Malta and was being thoroughly disinfected before re-entering service.

Air Malta said it discussed the matter with Charmaine Gauci, the director of the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, and it was clear that any risk to passengers on board was minimal due to the limited time of exposure.

The airline said its policy was to safeguard the health and safety of its passengers and crew at all times and this event reaffirmed its commitment.

Air Malta’s services flights KM1308/1309 to and from Munich via Catania and KM 696/697 to and from Tripoli are being delayed by an hour as a result of the precautionary measures taken.