CDC Chief Orders 2 Americans to Quarantine Over Hantavirus Concern

The CDC’s temporary leader ordered two Americans to quarantine at a Nebraska hospital following their high-risk hantavirus exposures on an outbreak-hit cruise ship.

Eighteen recently repatriated U.S. passengers from the MV Hondius have been requested to stay at the quarantine facility, the agency said in a press release on Tuesday that cited three European passengers who developed hantavirus after leaving the ship. A Canadian passenger has tested positive as well.

“A decision was made across the leadership in the U.S. government to have the passengers stay in Nebraska through May 31, which marks the 21st day of their monitoring period,” David Fitter, MD, of the CDC, said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

The lockdown is a policy shift from Friday, when officials said passengers were being “encouraged” to remain at the center.

Passengers had planned to return home to finish their 42-day quarantine before being informed on Sunday they would be required to stay, according to a CNN report.

“No one here is asking to be released from quarantine,” one individual told the outlet. “We are asking for the less restrictive alternative of a quarantine at home. That is what everyone was planning until this bombshell on Sunday.”

The quarantine orders were signed by Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, the senior health official performing the duties of acting CDC director.

One passenger intends to challenge the order, according to Inside Medicine.

At least 43 people in the U.S. are under monitoring in 12 states over hantavirus exposures related to the cruise ship outbreak, which involves a strain that can spread between people, the Andes virus. Worldwide, at least 10 cases and three deaths have been reported.

There are no hantavirus cases in the U.S. related to the outbreak, Fitter noted, and the risk to the U.S. public remains low, but the CDC on Monday alerted doctors about testing availability for potential hantavirus infections.

Clinicians should consider infection with Andes virus if patients have symptoms consistent with a hantavirus infection and were either aboard the MV Hondius or in direct contact with someone linked to the outbreak.

Symptoms can appear anywhere from four to 42 days after an exposure and early symptoms can resemble the flu (fever, fatigue, achy large muscles, etc.). Headache, dizziness, chills, and gastrointestinal symptoms are common as well.

“Contact your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department immediately to report a suspected Andes virus case and for assistance with diagnostic testing for Andes virus,” the agency said in its health alert. “Know that assays designed to specifically detect Andes virus may not detect other New World hantaviruses endemic in the United States.”

Other hantavirus strains are spread through contact with rodents or contaminated surfaces.