Eighteen passengers from the cruise ship linked to the hantavirus outbreak have now arrived in the United States and are being monitored at specialized medical facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta.
Sixteen people, including one who tested positive for hantavirus, were taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. One passenger is being treated in the biocontainment unit, while 15 others are being monitored in the quarantine unit. Health officials said all 16 individuals in Nebraska are currently asymptomatic.
Two additional passengers were transferred to Emory University in Atlanta for further assessment and care. Officials said at least one of those patients is experiencing symptoms. The pair are being monitored in a biocontainment unit.
The passengers are among those evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship after the deaths of three passengers linked to hantavirus since April 11. The virus is typically associated with exposure to infected rodents, though the World Health Organization said human-to-human transmission may have occurred aboard the ship.
Health officials stressed that hantavirus remains a low risk to the public and emphasized that the outbreak is “not another Covid-19.”
Officials said the transfer of two passengers to Atlanta was part of contingency planning because the Nebraska biocontainment unit does not have enough capacity for all monitored passengers. One of the Atlanta patients is also experiencing symptoms, requiring additional medical assessment and care.
Doctors in Nebraska said all passengers there are asymptomatic, have no fever, and are in “good shape,” though they were tired after travel. Medical assessments and monitoring are ongoing, and officials expect evaluations to continue for several days before deciding whether passengers can complete their 42-day monitoring period at home or at medical facilities.
In addition to the 18 monitored passengers, nine other people across six US states are also being monitored after possible exposure linked to the cruise ship or an international flight involving a confirmed case.
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Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in covering US News, politics, global affairs, sports, and other domains. Apart...View More
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