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Hantavirus live updates: 16 at facility in Nebraska, 2 at hospital in Atlanta

A flight carrying U.S. citizens who were on the ship arrived Monday in Nebraska.

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Last updated: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 3:57PM GMT
Passengers in Nebraska undergoing in-depth interviews, hantavirus symptom monitoring

Passengers onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship started disembarking Sunday in Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, to be transferred to charter flights back to their home countries.

The total number of confirmed and probable cases of hantavirus onboard the ship has risen to 10, including two people confirmed to have died from the virus and one person who remains suspected to have died from the virus.

On Monday, 16 American cruise ship passengers arrived at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, 15 are in the quarantine unit and one person is in the biocontainment unit, officials said. Two other American cruise ship passengers were flown to Atlanta "for further assessment and care," officials said.

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Here's how the news is developing.
May 11, 2026, 11:44 AM

What is hantavirus and is there a vaccine?

Here's what you need to know about hantavirus including what it is, how it spreads, how it's treated and if there are any prevention methods:

What is hantavirus?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause serious illnesses and death, according to the CDC.

How does hantavirus spread?

Hantaviruses may also spread from person to person, but that also is rare and only suspected for one subtype, the Andes virus, from South America, according to the WHO.

Is there a vaccine?

There are currently no approved vaccines anywhere in the world that specifically protect against the Andes virus, but scientists are working on it.

Read more about hantavirus here.

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11:14 AM GMT

Potential hantavirus case in Illinois not related to ship outbreak, health officials say

The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating a potential hantavirus case in an Illinois resident in Winnebago County, not linked to an outbreak on a cruise ship, the agency said Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting additional testing.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting additional testing.

The CDC said its test results could take up to 10 days.

It is believed the individual acquired the virus while cleaning a home where rodent droppings were present, IDPH said.

ByJessica Gorman ABCNews logo
10:47 AM GMT

Minnesota monitoring person 'potentially exposed' to hantavirus, Health Department says

The Minnesota Department of Health said it's monitoring the condition of a person who "may have briefly been exposed overseas" to another person who tested positive for hantavirus after being on board the MV Hondius.

"MDH is in contact with the person who was exposed," the department said in a statement on Tuesday. "They have been very cooperative, and we are monitoring them daily for symptoms. The person does not currently have symptoms. MDH will not release any additional information on the person to protect their privacy."

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May 12, 2026, 8:31 PM GMT

American quarantining in Nebraska shares video tour of his room

Jake Rosmarin, who is among the 15 hantavirus-negative passengers quarantining at the University of Nebraska Medical Center after disembarking the MV Hondius cruise ship, shared a video tour of his room on Instagram on Tuesday.

Rosmarin showed off his stationary bike, TV, bed, recliner and desk, saying, "The room is very spacious and comfortable."

Phil Taitt reports on the quarantine.

"I'm hoping to give more updates while I'm here. I'm feeling well," he said.

Rosmarin told ABC News earlier on Tuesday that he is not experiencing any symptoms and plans on remaining in quarantine for the next 42 days.

"I think that is the best decision that's for me and for my family, and I know that here, I'm in the best care possible," Rosmarin said.

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May 12, 2026, 8:23 PM GMT

Passengers in Nebraska undergoing in-depth interviews, symptom monitoring

Fifteen passengers remain in the quarantine unit and one person remains in the biocontainment unit at Nebraska Medicine, hospital officials said.

The passengers are undergoing in-depth interviews to trace their contacts as well as regular symptom monitoring, officials said.

Nebraska Medicine's Davis Global Center is seen on Sunday, May 10,2026 in Omaha, Neb. where American passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship will quarantine.
Nebraska Medicine's Davis Global Center is seen on Sunday, May 10,2026 in Omaha, Neb. where American passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship will quarantine.
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