Seventeen American cruise passengers returned to U.S. soil Monday after enduring weeks aboard a ship plagued by a deadly hantavirus outbreak. One passenger tested positive for the virus during the evacuation flight, while another showed symptoms, forcing both into specialized biocontainment units as the plane traveled from the Canary Islands to Nebraska.

Three Deaths Aboard Dutch Vessel

The MV Hondius departed southern Argentina on April 1 with nearly 150 passengers from 23 countries. The ship followed a South Atlantic route with stops at remote islands. Three passengers died after the outbreak began, with at least eight confirmed cases reported. A French woman also tested positive after being repatriated to Paris on Sunday, according to French Health Minister Stephanie Rist. The Americans had been isolating in their cabins for weeks before evacuation.

America’s Premier Quarantine Facility Activated

Most passengers landed at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha and proceeded to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The same facility handled Diamond Princess cruise passengers in early 2020 during one of COVID-19’s first superspreading events. Dr. Ali Khan, dean of the College of Public Health at UNMC, welcomed the passengers to what he called the premier facility in the United States for such cases. The symptomatic passenger went to a separate specialized treatment center.

No Pandemic Expected Despite Severity

Scientists have studied hantaviruses for decades, including the Andes variant responsible for this outbreak. Unlike COVID-19, this strain requires prolonged, close contact with symptomatic individuals to spread. Dr. Khan emphasized that despite 30 years of observation, no large outbreaks have occurred. Symptoms can take up to 42 days after exposure to appear, requiring extended monitoring. Health officials said passengers would not be officially quarantined but would receive daily check-ins from health departments.

Nationwide Monitoring Continues

Seven additional U.S. passengers who left the ship earlier are being monitored in Texas, California, Georgia, and Virginia. Most returning Americans are currently healthy, but the extended incubation period means surveillance must continue for weeks. If symptoms develop during the 42-day window, patients will be placed into isolation immediately. The World Health Organization continues tracking the situation as health officials worldwide assess protocols for handling rare disease outbreaks aboard vessels.