US passengers from ship quarantined as officials say public risk 'very low'

Two British nationals have confirmed cases and are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa. A British-US dual national is currently in quarantine in Nebraska, with decisions pending on further quarantine duration.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, at a press conference with health officials, said no one who poses a risk to public health is walking out the front door onto the streets of Omaha.

The CDC noted that one specimen was positive and another negative for Andes virus; a second specimen from the same patient was negative. Officials say there is a range in PCR results and that further testing is needed to evaluate the mild positive result.

To preserve space at the Nebraska facility, some passengers were flown to Atlanta, including the passenger who displayed mild symptoms.

Sixteen passengers are in Nebraska at the nation’s only national quarantine unit, described as being in good shape and good spirits by officials.

Two individuals were taken to Georgia: one who is symptomatic and that person’s partner, as part of the monitoring and containment measures.

More than 90 passengers of the cruise ship are being repatriated as part of the response to the exposure event.

Officials say one passenger aboard MV Hondius has tested positive for Andes virus, a rare hantavirus; this represents the first confirmed Andes virus case involving an American passenger.

Eighteen American passengers evacuated from the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius after possible hantavirus exposure are being closely monitored by health officials. The ship remains docked in Spain's Canary Islands, and more than 90 passengers are being repatriated.