Nebraska [US], May 12 (HBTV): Seventeen American citizens and one US-based British national arrived at Eppley Airfield early Monday morning as part of efforts to contain a rare Hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius.
The group was transported from Spain’s Canary Islands to Nebraska, which houses the United States’ only federally funded specialised quarantine facility, according to CNN.
Among the arrivals, two individuals have drawn particular attention from health authorities and were transported in specialised biocontainment units aboard the aircraft. One passenger tested ‘mildly’ positive for the virus during screenings in Europe. Though currently asymptomatic, the individual has been admitted to the Biocontainment Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Another passenger reported a mild cough on May 6. Although the symptoms have since resolved and the individual has not tested positive, close monitoring is ongoing. The remaining passengers have been moved to the National Quarantine Unit for initial assessment.
The facility is designed to handle high-consequence infectious diseases and has previously been used for treating Ebola and early COVID-19 patients. It includes 20 single-occupancy suites equipped with negative air pressure systems. Despite stringent containment measures, the rooms are designed to support extended stays with amenities such as Wi-Fi, exercise equipment and attached bathrooms.
Following initial assessments, some passengers may be permitted to return home under controlled conditions to continue their observation period.
The US Department of Health and Human Services supported the US Department of State in repatriating the passengers from the vessel affected by the Andes strain of hantavirus.
Given that the incubation period for this strain can extend up to six weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has mandated a strict follow-up protocol. After discharge, passengers will undergo daily monitoring at home for 42 days.
Those categorised as high-risk will be advised to limit movement and avoid social interactions. Health departments across multiple states, including Arizona, California, Georgia, Texas and Virginia, are already tracking individuals who disembarked earlier.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that while the situation is serious, the overall risk to the general public remains low.
‘I want to express my support for the government of Spain and others as they manage the hantavirus in close coordination with our World Health Organisation colleagues. While the current public health risk from the virus remains low, it is important that international health efforts ensure the safety of all, including passengers and crew of the MV Hondius,’ he said.
The virus, typically associated with rodents, may have spread between humans aboard the cruise ship, according to the World Health Organisation. Since April 11, three people linked to the vessel have died, while several others have fallen ill, as reported by CNN.
The outbreak was first reported to the WHO on May 2. The cruise ship had departed Argentina on April 1 and docked earlier this month in Spain’s Canary Islands.
The Andes strain of hantavirus, usually transmitted through rodents, is under investigation for rare human-to-human transmission following three deaths involving a Dutch couple and a German national connected to the voyage. A total of eight cases, including six confirmed and two probable, have been linked to the ship so far.
Responding to the situation, US President Donald Trump said authorities are closely monitoring the outbreak.
‘We have very good people looking at the hantavirus. It seems to be okay. They know the virus very well and have worked with it for a long time. It is not easy to pass on, unlike COVID, but we are studying it very closely,’ he said.
(ANI)