A passenger aboard an Air Malta plane yesterday reported feeling unwell and was later diagnosed with meningitis.

The traveller was on Air Malta’s KM612 from Malta to Rome (Fiumicino).

“It is clear that any risk to passengers onboard is minimal due to limited time of exposure,” Air Malta said in a statement, quoting the Director of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, Charmaine Gauci.

This information is based on scientific advice and is evidence based, the airline said.

Sources said the passenger was a foreign man resident in Malta. He is currently being treated in an Italian hospital. His age was not established.

It is clear that any risk to passengers onboard is minimal due to limited time of exposure

Dr Gauci told Times of Malta that meningitis takes up to eight hours to be contracted on a flight, which is double the amount on land. This is because of the particular outbound ventilation on aircraft. “Basically you’re better off being on a plane,” she said, reassuring the passengers involved that there was no cause for alarm.

Another medical source told Times of Malta that such assessments varied depending on the type of meningitis, with meningococcal being the worst type and the one that can be contracted quickest.

Dr Gauci said the type of meningitis had not yet been established but precautions were taken on the assumption that this was the worst case.

The airline said it took all the required precautionary measures in line with its procedures for such incidents.

“The aircraft involved has been temporarily grounded in Malta and is being thoroughly disinfected before re-entering service,” Air Malta added.

“Air Malta’s policy is to safeguard at all times the health and safety of its passengers and crews. This event reaffirms our commitment in this regard.”

The airline said its services on flights KM1308/1309 to and from Malta to Munich via Catania and KM 696/697 to and from Tripoli were delayed for one hour as a result of the precautionary measures taken.