A passenger on the MV Hondius, the Dutch cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak, has shared his experience of completing his first week under quarantine in the United States. The ship has now docked at its final destination in Rotterdam for disinfection, with only crew members aboard for the final leg.
Passenger's Journey
Jake Rosmarin, a travel enthusiast, boarded the ship in Ushuaia, Argentina, intending to travel to the Netherlands. However, the outbreak forced all remaining passengers to disembark in Tenerife, Canary Islands, between May 10 and 11. They were then sent to their home countries for quarantine. Jake, one of 18 Americans, was transferred to a specialized healthcare facility in Omaha, Nebraska.
Life Inside Quarantine
Jake has been documenting his experience on TikTok, sharing photos and insights. In a recent post, he described his first week at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He wrote, 'I just made it through my first week of quarantine... for the first time in a while I can honestly say I feel at peace with my situation.'
His room resembles a modern hotel room, complete with an en-suite bathroom, double bed, coffee maker, and an exercise bike. He has focused on small joys, such as setting up a tea and coffee corner, receiving packages from loved ones, and ordering meals from a menu. He also noted two welcome notes from staff, which made him feel comfortable.
Jake reflected on his journey, stating, 'It’s honestly crazy to look back and see how far I’ve come in just a week.' He shared photos of the cargo plane that transported him from the Canary Islands, calling it a surreal experience. He thanked friends, family, and healthcare staff for their support, saying, 'It’s because of all of you that I’ve been able to stay positive through something that at first felt impossible.'
Jake has not shown any symptoms of hantavirus but is expected to remain in quarantine for a total of 42 days.
