A number of people had become sick onboard

An Emirates Airline flight from Dubai was quarantined at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday after some passengers became ill during the flight. 
Diala Makki was travelling first-class on Flight 203 en route to New York Fashion Week when she learned from flight crew that a number of people had become sick onboard and passengers were to be detained until officials made checks.

"The Emirates cabin crew were super-helpful, they were not in panic mode, which was amazing," Makki, 36, said in an interview outside of John F. Kennedy Airport. "Then we got the American officials check every one of us until we got out. They dealt with it really well." Makki, a television host from Dubai, said.
Emirates has confirmed that all passengers on its flight EK 203 have left the aircraft after they were subjected to medical examination by the competent authorities at JFK, and three passengers and seven crew members were taken to the hospital for additional examinations and treatment. 

Nine other passengers underwent additional tests at the aircraft's site before being allowed to leave, and the rest of the passengers were then sent out of the airport through immigration and customs. The crew and our ground staff have shown every cooperation with the authorities during the passenger inspection of the aircraft, which has mow been now delivered by aviation officers.
Due to the delay with the inbound flight, the return flight EK204 from JFK to Dubai will be delayed by approximately 3 hours, tweeted Dubai Media Office. Passengers with connecting flights in Dubai who are impacted by the delay will be assisted with rebookings by Emirates local ground staff.