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American Passengers from Hantavirus-Hit Cruise Ship to Quarantine in Nebraska

American passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius will be quarantined in Nebraska upon arrival in the US. The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centers and classified the outbreak as Level 3. Spanish health authorities identified a second monitored contact linked to the outbreak. At least seven Americans who were on the vessel are isolating at home across five states, all asymptomatic.

Key Points: Hantavirus Cruise: Americans to Quarantine in Nebraska

  • American passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship to quarantine in Nebraska
  • CDC activates Level 3 emergency alert for hantavirus outbreak
  • 17 US citizens to be repatriated from cruise ship
  • Seven Americans isolating at home across five states, asymptomatic
  • Spanish authorities identify second monitored contact linked to outbreak
2 min read

American passengers aboard hantavirus-hit cruise ship to quarantine in Nebraska: Report

American passengers from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius will quarantine in Nebraska. CDC activates Level 3 alert as 17 US citizens are repatriated.

"The passengers will be received at the National Quarantine Unit, a secured facility on the University of Nebraska Medical Centre campus in Omaha - Michael Wadman"

Washington, May 9

American passengers aboard the cruise ship at the centre of a hantavirus outbreak will be quarantined in Nebraska upon arrival in the United States, local media reported, citing an official from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

The passengers will be received at the National Quarantine Unit, a secured facility on the University of Nebraska Medical Centre campus in Omaha, said Michael Wadman, the unit's medical director, reports Xinhua, quoting NBC News.

The hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius is expected to arrive in Tenerife, Spain's Canary Islands, on Sunday. A US State Department spokesperson told NBC News that the agency is arranging a repatriation flight back home for the 17 American citizens aboard the ship.

Meanwhile, at least seven Americans who were on the vessel are isolating at home across five states, and none show any symptoms of the virus, said the report, citing local health officials, reports Xinhua news agency.

The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Centers and classified the hantavirus outbreak as "Level 3," multiple sources told ABC News. The emergency alert is the lowest level.

Meanwhile, Spanish health authorities on Friday identified a second monitored contact linked to the hantavirus outbreak associated with the cruise ship MV Hondius after tracing a woman living in Catalonia who had shared a flight with a deceased Dutch traveller.

Spain's Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) said the woman is asymptomatic and was initially missed during contact tracing because of a seat change on the aircraft.

According to health authorities, the woman now meets the criteria for monitored contact under a newly approved national surveillance protocol and will remain under medical observation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Level 3 emergency but lowest level? Confusing. But good that they are tracking contacts, even that one woman who changed seats on the flight. In India, we've seen how important contact tracing is during outbreaks. Hope Spain and US handle this well.
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Michael C
From Australia here. This hantavirus thing is serious, rodents on ships are a nightmare. Glad they're isolating passengers properly. The woman in Catalonia slipping through contact tracing shows how tricky these outbreaks are. Hope all 17 Americans get home safe.
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Rohit P
Reminds me of those Diamond Princess days. Hantavirus is rare but can be severe. At least they have a dedicated quarantine unit in Nebraska. But why were these Americans on a cruise with a hantavirus outbreak in the first place? Travel advisories need to be stronger.
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Sarah B
I'm from the UK and this is worrying. The fact that a deceased Dutch traveler was involved and a woman in Catalonia was missed initially shows how quickly things can spread. Kudos to Spanish health authorities for updating their surveillance protocol. Stay vigilant everyone.
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Nikhil C
Hantavirus in a cruise ship is no joke. But I wish the article gave more details on what exactly caused the outbreak on MV Hondius. Was there a rodent infestation? Passengers should be informed. Anyway, glad the CDC is on it. Hope the 7 Americans at home stay symptom-free.
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