Via Rail train quarantined in Foleyet near Timmins Ontario

On friday May 9th a VIA RAIL train has been stopped at the end of Main street in Foleyet near Timmins (Ontario), about 350 kms north of Sudbury and about 800kms north west of Toronto (Ontario). Initially, it has been reported that one person has died and that the train has been quarantined. The deceased passenger, a 46 year old woman from South-Africa had boarded the train in Jasper (Alberta), with a group of five other passangers. A retired doctor present on the train was asked to assist the woman, but found her to be deceased. Noticing that others in her group seemed ill, he notified VIA staff, who stopped the train and contacted health officials. Local health officials then diligently declared a quanrantine to assess the situation and determine the appropriate protocol to enact. An autopsy identified the causes of death as natural.

The train, number 42, is known as the Canadian. It left Vancouver on Tuesday and was scheduled to arrive in Toronto at 8h00pm on Friday. It was delayed 10 hours due to the quarantine. Other stops along the trip include Sudbury Junction, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper and Kamloops (BC) 

There where 264 passengers and 30 employes on board. Initial reports indicated that 10 passengers in two train cars seemed affected. A security perimeter was established. Health and emergency personnel entered the train in full biohazard gear. Two air ambulances where deployed to the site. Later reports on friday indicated the causes of the sickness as undetermined but food poisoning was suspected. Final reports indicate 6 passengers where ill, likely due to some form of minor flu. To their credit, following the lessons of the Toronto 2003 SARS epidemic, health officials decided to play it safe. While this may seem like over-reaction in hindsight, now that more information is available, but this was a prudent decision made at the time and would of saved many lifes should a viral outbreak or even a terrorist threat actually occured: Good work !