Three more passengers from the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius cruise ship have been released from a national quarantine unit in Omaha, bringing the total released to eight while ten remain. The 18 American passengers were quarantined for potential exposure to the virus, which has an incubation period of up to 42 days. The CDC and ASPR are coordinating their return, which involves non-commercial travel and continued monitoring by state health departments.
MV Hondius quarantine releases
- ▪The passengers were among 18 U.S. residents from the ship who were placed under quarantine after potential hantavirus exposure
- ▪A total of eight passengers have now left the facility, with five having been released in the first week of June 2026
- ▪Ten passengers from the cruise ship remain under observation in Omaha
- ▪Three passengers from the hantavirus-affected MV Hondius cruise ship were released from the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha
Hantavirus monitoring protocols
- ▪The University of Nebraska Medical Center is one of 13 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers in the U.S. federal system
- ▪States accepting returning passengers must provide 24/7 oversight at their residence for three weeks, using a police officer or public health worker
- ▪Released passengers will continue to be monitored for two more weeks by their local and state public health departments
- ▪Hantavirus symptoms can take up to 42 days to appear, prompting an extended monitoring period
CDC coordination efforts
- ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had requested the individuals remain at the quarantine unit through May 31
- ▪The CDC is coordinating with states to ensure passengers continue self-monitoring after returning home
Biocontainment transport measures
- ▪The individuals did not travel commercially and were transported with appropriate biocontainment measures in place
- ▪Travel for the released passengers was coordinated by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)
Story comments
Loading comments…