The last eight American passengers who were quarantined in a Nebraska facility after being exposed to a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship have been released. The passengers were on the MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship, when the outbreak occurred, resulting in the deaths of three people.

Hantavirus Outbreak

The hantavirus outbreak was caused by the Andes virus, which can spread through contact with contaminated rodent droppings. In rare cases, it may also be able to spread between people. The passengers were evacuated from the ship in the Canary Islands and taken to a specialized hospital quarantine unit in Omaha, Nebraska.

One of the passengers, Angela Perryman, was forced to stay in quarantine against her will due to a controversial order. She claimed that the six-week quarantine was a ‘political stunt’ and that she was only allowed to leave after the quarantine period ended. Other passengers were able to leave earlier under an agreement that they would be closely monitored in their home states.

Community Support

During their stay in Omaha, the passengers received support from the local community. Restaurants and food trucks delivered special meals to the quarantine unit, and nurses made Starbucks runs to deliver the passengers’ favorite drinks. The passengers were also able to stay in rooms equipped with amenities such as desks, TVs, and exercise equipment.

One passenger, Jake Rosmarin, posted a video on social media thanking the staff of the quarantine unit and the Omaha community for their support. He also expressed his gratitude to his family and friends who helped him get through the quarantine period.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.