Nebraska Medicine says passenger in Omaha’s biocontainment unit has been moved to quarantine

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Nebraska Medicine on Wednesday said the cruise ship passenger who was originally housed in Omaha’s biocontainment unit has been moved to the National Quarantine Unit.

Health officials said he has been medically cleared to move into the quarantine unit. The 16 patients being monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center remain asymptomatic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a briefing on Wednesday to update the public on the Hantavirus Response.

Dr. David Fitter with the CDC explained that the Hantavirus is a known pathogen, and although the Andes strain is rare, experts have it under control.

“Our experts have allowed us to respond effectively while remaining vigilant about its unique features,” said Dr. Fitter, adding that the risk to the American people remains low.

One biocontainment expert leading the charge at Nebraska Medicine is Dr. Katie Willet.

“This staff is training to be ready at a moment’s notice,” she said, explaining that there is a minimum of two staffers attending to each patient.

Dr. Willet says they remain focused on patients’ health, both physical and mental.

“We’re trying to identify the things that we can easily change because there are little things that make a big difference in how your day goes,” said Dr. Willet. “We had some of our team from the ER that went and got a Starbucks run today for people because that’s a small thing that we can do.”

During Wednesday’s briefing, the start date of the 42-day incubation period was announced: May 11, 2026, the day the MV Hondius cruise ship departed.

Health officials also explained that the initial test on the patient who first tested positive while abroad was inconclusive and has now been redone.

Those results are said to come back within a day or so.

Dr. Brendan Jackson, the CDC Lead for Nebraska, says they currently have at least 100 staffers handling the Hantavirus response.

He described their efforts.

“The University of Nebraska team here is conducting regular temperature monitoring, symptom screening, and general wellness evaluations,” said Dr. Jackson.

Staffers at the UNMC campus in Omaha tell Channel 8 that they feel well informed about protocol and trust the system.