Five American passengers who were quarantined at a Nebraska medical facility following hantavirus exposure on a cruise ship have been cleared to return home, federal health authorities announced Monday.
The individuals will finish their monitoring period at home after staying healthy and fulfilling requirements for supervision outside the isolation unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
These five passengers are departing Omaha approximately three weeks after they and 13 other Americans were transported to Nebraska following a fatal hantavirus outbreak aboard a cruise vessel in the South Atlantic Ocean.
While hantaviruses typically transmit through inhalation of contaminated rodent waste particles, the strain responsible for this outbreak, known as the Andes virus, may occasionally spread between humans.
According to the World Health Organization, 13 confirmed or suspected hantavirus infections, including three fatalities, have been connected to the cruise ship.
Health authorities stated that no Andes virus infections have been verified in the United States, and public risk remains minimal.
A spokesperson for Nebraska Medicine confirmed Monday that none of the American passengers has displayed any symptoms.
Previous outbreaks have shown hantavirus symptoms can emerge up to 42 days after exposure, though medical professionals note most individuals who become ill develop symptoms within 21 days.
Omaha physicians overseeing the passengers had previously indicated they would evaluate each individual case to determine suitability for completing the recommended 42-day isolation period at home.
Government officials coordinated transportation for the five departing individuals, working with state and local agencies. Authorities specified the travel would not involve commercial airlines, with proper containment protocols implemented. State health departments will maintain daily symptom tracking, round-the-clock supervision and advisory services.
Two of those returning to their residences live outside New York City, according to city Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin.
Jake Rosmarin, one of the passengers remaining in quarantine, wrote on his blog Sunday that he intends to complete his final three weeks at the Omaha facility to ensure immediate medical access if needed and to avoid potentially exposing others.
Rosmarin, who shares daily updates about his situation, said he respects others’ decisions to leave.
“For me personally, this experience has been incredibly traumatic,” Rosmarin said. “I don’t think I’ve fully processed everything yet, and right now I don’t want to leave until I know there is no risk of me getting sick or putting my family, friends, or the general public at risk.”
Not all quarantined individuals in Nebraska have been satisfied with the arrangement. Approximately one week after the 18 passengers arrived, federal health officials issued mandatory quarantine orders requiring two passengers who wished to depart to remain at the facility.
