New Orleans mayor out of quarantine in China

[June 11, 2009]  NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says he would have never expected to be held in quarantine in China amid swine flu concerns.

Nagin told The Associated Press Wednesday night that it was surreal to be approached by people in "full hazmat gear" and taken by ambulance to a hotel. He, his wife and a security guard were quarantined there after a passenger on their flight from New Jersey exhibited flu-like symptoms.

The three were released Wednesday, three days after being sequestered. Nagin spoke from Australia. It is the last leg of an overseas trip in which he is scheduled to speak on climate change and sustainable building. Nagin said the room in which he and his wife stayed "wasn't anything luxury" but nice, and quiet. [Associated Press; By BECKY BOHRER] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.