Mystery Illness on Via Train

Update: National Post is reporting that officials are ruling out a lot of the serious illnesses.

Dr. Williams also confirmed that the other passengers who fell ill had medical conditions unrelated to the dead passenger.

I hope the 6 o'clock news gives less attention to Maxime Bernier's private life and more to this mysterious illness on a Via Passenger train on its way from Toronto from BC that is now under quarantine and stopped in northern Ontario, after a passenger has died.

FOLEYET, Ont. - Health authorities remain puzzled by an unfolding medical emergency aboard a Via Rail train that has left one woman dead and others seriously ill.

Up to 10 of the 264 passengers were showing flu-like symptoms and have been taken by ambulance to hospital in Timmins, Ont. None of the other passengers are being allowed off the train.

"We are still trying to determine the nature of the medical situation," Health Canada spokesman Alistair Sinclair said.
...
Police, fire and ambulance officials are on the scene in full protective gear and two of the train cars have been sealed off pending assessments by public health experts.

After SARS, I'm pleased to hear that precautions are being taken.