An Emirates plane has been quarantined at JFK airport in New York after approximately 100 passengers and crew members reported feeling ill.

The plane, which arrived from Dubai at 9:12 am, was immediately taken to a location away from the terminal, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Medical personnel from the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) then boarded to assist the ailing passengers, who complained primarily of fever and coughs.

Ten of the passengers were quickly transported to the hospital, according to Eric Phillips, a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio. Nine others were reportedly feeling sick but refused medical attention.

Health officials were unsure what prompted the illness, but symptoms pointed to the flu, Mr Phillips said. He added that several of the passengers boarded the plane after visiting Mecca, which is currently experiencing a flu outbreak.

Emirates Airlines issued a statement shortly after the plane landed, saying that 10 passengers had fallen ill and all other passengers would be allowed to disembark soon. But only about half of the passengers had exited the plane and been cleared to continue travelling by 11:30am, according to the mayor's office.

JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Show all 9 1 /9 JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Emirates plane in quarantine at JFK airport after '100 passengers fall seriously ill' ABC JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill The emergency services are seen, after the passengers were taken ill Reuters JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Passengers leave the plane being assisted by the air cabin crew and the emergency services REUTERS JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Emergency response crews gather outside the plane AP JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Passengers leave the plane being assisted by the air cabin crew and the emergency services REUTERS JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Air cabin crew members and the emergency services are seen leaving the plane, after the passengers were taken ill on a flight from New York to Dubai, on JFK Airport, New York, U.S., September 05, 2018 in this still image obtained from social media. Larry Coben/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. SOCIAL MEDIA Reuters JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill Local news outlets said up to 100 of the 500 passengers were suffering from coughs and fevers ABC JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill According to a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio, the flight originated in Dubai and stopped over in Mecca, which was experiencing a flu outbreak. Authorities were considering this as a possible source for the illness ABC JFK airport: Emirates plane in quarantine after passengers fall ill The New York Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau said they were monitoring a "medical situation" at the airport. The Centres for Disease Control and New York Fire Department were also on the scene ABC

Video taken from inside the plane after it landed showed a tense scene, with airline employees urging passengers to stay out of the aisles.

"Worst flight ever Dubai to NYC; plane was basically a flying infermary[sic]," tweeted one passenger as she waited on the tarmac. "Many of these people should never have been allowed to board. Now sitting on the ground after 14 hour flight unable to leave."

The woman also posted video of passengers who appeared to be getting their temperatures checked by medical-mask-clad officials. The Port Authority said all passengers were being screened by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

"The [Port Authority Police Department] and Port Authority airport operations staff are coordinating closely and providing support to the CDC and CBP as necessary," the agency said in a statement.

The New York Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau confirmed they were monitoring a "medical situation" at the airport. The New York Fire Department was also on the scene.