Hantavirus countdown: U.S. cruise passengers settle in for 42 days of waiting
The hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has potentially exposed passengers to a deadly disease. Most returning Americans are now housed in Nebraska. Some may be cleared to quarantine at home.
By NPR Health
More than a dozen American cruise passengers have been placed in a 42-day quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center following an outbreak of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius. The passengers, who spent weeks isolated on the ship after it was hit by the rare respiratory illness in South America, are being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit. While health experts emphasize that hantavirus does not have pandemic potential similar to COVID-19, the incident is testing U.S. infectious disease readiness.
The quarantine period is significantly longer than those used for most viral outbreaks, reflecting the potentially long incubation period and high mortality rate of the disease. Travel influencer Jake Rosmarin, who is among those being held, has been documenting the experience for his followers, providing a rare look inside a high-security medical facility. As the MV Hondius returns to the Netherlands for disinfection, the situation highlights the unique health risks associated with polar and adventure cruising in remote regions.