As the quarantine period progresses at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, some of the 18 patients exposed to hantavirus onboard a cruise ship are preparing to leave this week. However, the exact number of patients opting to depart remains uncertain.
The New York State Department of Health announced that two state residents currently in the quarantine unit are expected to return to New York this week. They will complete their remaining quarantine period at home.
Plans for Returning Home
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald confirmed in a news release that the individuals will travel via non-commercial flights back to New York, where they will continue their 42-day monitoring and quarantine period, concluding on June 22, outside of New York City. Another New York resident has chosen to continue their quarantine in Omaha.
On Monday, officials from UNMC directed inquiries to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, though the CDC was unavailable for comment that afternoon.
Background on the Quarantine
The quarantined individuals, all U.S. citizens, have been at the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha since May 12. They were passengers on the MV Hondius, a cruise ship that experienced an outbreak of a rare hantavirus strain, which is a respiratory illness associated with rodents. The outbreak resulted in 13 cases and three deaths, though none of the patients in Omaha have displayed symptoms.
The disease has a potential incubation period of six weeks, necessitating a quarantine of equal length for the passengers. Now at the halfway mark, federal authorities are permitting those who prefer to return home to do so, provided they adhere to home quarantine for an additional three weeks under strict local and state health department supervision.
Decisions on Staying
Jake Rosmarin, a Boston-based travel influencer, has opted to remain in Omaha. Sharing his experiences on YouTube, Rosmarin emphasized his commitment to following medical guidance from UNMC doctors to ensure he poses no risk of infecting others.
In a recent video update, Rosmarin stated, “I do not want to leave here until I know that there’s a zero percent chance of me getting sick, a zero percent chance of me risking my family and friends getting sick or the general public getting sick.”
