Los Angeles Metro bus passengers were in for a scare when a male passenger wearing a surgical mask boarded the bus and claimed to have Ebola yesterday afternoon.

Officials say the passenger rode the bus for seven minutes before getting off, throwing off his mask and leaving.

Out of an abundance of caution, the bus was sequestered at a parking lot at Metro's Division 10, Metro spokesman Paul Gonzales said.

The mask has been recovered and is now being analysed. Metro officials are also reviewing surveillance tape to see if they can identify the passenger.

The bus driver was quarantined and examined by paramedics. He was taken to a local hospital in good health.

The case appears to be a hoax, but Metro officials say they are continuing their investigation.