Passengers from a cruise ship who may have been exposed to hantavirus have been taken to a specialized medical facility in Nebraska for monitoring and potential treatment.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha was selected because it houses the United States’ sole federally-supported quarantine facility. The medical center also operates a distinct biocontainment unit specifically designed to care for individuals who have encountered infectious diseases.
This unique combination of quarantine and biocontainment capabilities makes the Nebraska facility the go-to destination for federal health officials when dealing with potential exposure to dangerous pathogens. The specialized units are equipped to safely isolate and treat patients while preventing the spread of infectious diseases to the broader community.
