VANCOUVER (CBC) - Police said Friday they don't think the death of a woman on board a Via train quarantined in northern Ontario is linked to flu-like symptoms reported by several other passengers.

Officials said they received word of a medical emergency on board the Vancouver to Toronto train around 9 a.m. ET as it neared a regular stop in Foleyet, Ont. The town of 380 people is about 100 kilometres southwest of Timmins.

OPP Staff Sgt. Rob Knox said a doctor on board the train tried to help a woman in her 60s who became sick from an undiagnosed illness. She later died, and the doctor turned his attention to other passengers who said they felt ill.

"At present, we do not believe they're related," Knox said.

OPP Const. Marc Depatie said he believed the woman who died had boarded the train in Jasper, Alta., as part of a tour group. Depatie said there were reports she had flu-like symptoms when she boarded.

Depatie said seven other members of the group have reported feeling flu-like symptoms.

Passenger hospitalized

One person was airlifted to Timmins and District Hospital and is in stable condition, said Steve Trenier, a spokesman for Timmins Emergency Medical Services. That passenger has been diagnosed with a respiratory illness.

Emergency response workers, including a doctor, are working inside the train, which was carrying 260 passengers and 30 crewmembers.

"Things are underway. We're waiting for some further information," said Trenier, adding the passengers on the train are being co-operative and patient.

Officials are booking accommodations for people on the train in case they have to spend the night in the area. The train left Vancouver three days ago and was scheduled to arrive in Toronto on Friday evening.

Federal Health Minister Tony Clement has been briefed on the situation, said a statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada.

"Federal officials are collaborating with provincial and regional counterparts to assess the situation and take action as appropriate."

'Lots of action' in town

Carol Woodhouse, who works in the town, told CBCNews.ca a medical helicopter, five ambulances and emergency workers were all at the railway station. OPP and CN vehicles had blocked off the road leading to the station.

"There's lots of action going on," she said.

Woodhouse said the air ambulance landed in a local baseball field where workers dressed in white suits and facemasks removed someone from the train.

"For a little town that usually has only two police officers, it's been very busy here," she said.

Town chairwoman Deborah DesRochers said people in the town are anxious to find out what has caused the illness.

"It's the not knowing. That's what everybody is up in the air about," she said. "The quicker they can put that to rest, it'll make everyone feel happier."

DesRochers said the tiny town - which has one restaurant and no cellphone service - is quickly becoming "overrun" with emergency workers and news media.

Flu season in Ontario

Dr. Allison McGeer, the director of infection control at Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, said there could be many explanations for such symptoms, including influenza, food poisoning or environmental exposure.

While influenza has decreased in Western Canada, it is still active in Ontario, she said.

"There's bound to be a few of those people [on the train] who are ill," said McGeer.

She said Ontario's new infection control system means the results from specimens sent from the train will be available later Friday or Saturday.

"It's incredibly effective," she said.

With files from the Canadian Press

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