U.S. health officials end six-week quarantine of Americans exposed to hantavirus in Nebraska
Eight Americans who were held in isolation after exposure to an Andes-strain hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship have been released, ending a 42-day quarantine ordered by the Health and Human Services department.
Eight U.S. citizens who were quarantined for six weeks in Omaha after being exposed to the Andes strain of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship have been released. The Health and Human Services (HHS) department confirmed that the mandatory 42-day isolation of the final group was lifted on Monday.
The outbreak on the Dutch-flagged vessel in the Canary Islands resulted in three deaths and 13 confirmed cases among passengers and crew. Eighteen Americans were initially transferred to the national quarantine unit in Nebraska, but none contracted the disease.
"Through close collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, HHS helped protect the American people, contain potential risks, and bring this response effort to a successful conclusion," HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said in an email to the Associated Press.
One passenger, Angela Perryman, told the AP that she felt she was detained against her wishes and that the group was informed on Sunday that the quarantine had ended. She said she chose to fly to Florida that night, while other passengers stayed overnight and departed on Monday.
Health-law experts criticized the order as unnecessary. Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, described the detention as "arbitrary, capricious and unjust," and James Hodge of Arizona State University warned against using "unconstitutional, ill-advised, unproven techniques" to control infectious diseases.
The quarantine unit provided meals and amenities such as internet access and exercise equipment. Passengers documented their experience on social media; travel blogger Jake Rosmarin posted videos thanking staff and showing his departure.
The decision to override CDC guidance, which recommended self-quarantine at home for exposed individuals, was made by HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., prompting further debate among public-health officials.
