Five of the 18 American cruise ship passengers who had been quarantined in Nebraska after exposure to hantavirus have been allowed to return home, US health officials confirmed on Monday. The individuals completed their monitoring at the University of Nebraska Medical Center without developing symptoms and met the criteria for home observation.
The passengers were among a group who arrived in Omaha three weeks ago following a deadly outbreak of hantavirus on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic Ocean. The Andes virus, a rare strain that can spread between people, caused 13 confirmed or probable cases and three deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
Federal authorities organised the five passengers' travel, which avoided commercial flights and included biocontainment measures. State health departments will continue daily symptom monitoring and provide 24/7 oversight. Two of the returnees live outside New York City, confirmed city Health Commissioner Dr Alister Martin.
None of the US passengers has shown symptoms, but hantavirus incubation can take up to 42 days. One passenger, Jake Rosmarin, chose to remain in the Omaha unit for the remainder of his 42-day quarantine, citing trauma and a desire not to risk exposing others. He said he does not judge those who decided to leave.
Health officials emphasised that no Andes virus cases have been confirmed in the US and the public risk remains low. The quarantine orders made headlines earlier when two passengers who attempted to leave were compelled to stay by federal mandate.
