Three more passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship leave Omaha quarantine

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Three more passengers have left the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, health officials in Omaha said on Tuesday.

According to Nebraska Medicine, the three former passengers from the hantavirus-hit MV Hondius have returned to their home states for continued monitoring over the next two weeks.

Officials said the passengers will be monitored by their local and state public health departments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested that the individuals from the cruise ship stay at the NQU through May 31.

Eight of the former passengers have now left the unit.

SEE ALSO: Five U.S. passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship depart quarantine in Omaha

Travel for the former passengers was coordinated through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and each passenger’s local and state health departments.

Officials said the individuals did not travel commercially, and appropriate biocontainment measures were in place during their transport.

Because symptoms of hantavirus can take up to 42 days to appear, officials said all 18 former U.S. passengers were “strongly encouraged” to complete their full period at the NQU.

Ten of the passengers remain in Omaha for monitoring.