United States isolates cruise passengers for Andes virus
PUBLISHED May 13, 2026, 3:10 PM ET
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U.S. health authorities have quarantined eighteen American citizens in Nebraska after confirmed exposure to an outbreak of Andes virus, a lethal hantavirus strain, aboard the expedition cruise ship M/V Hondius in the South Atlantic and Antarctic region. The group was medically evacuated to Offutt Air Force Base and transferred under strict biocontainment to the National Quarantine Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus. As of Tuesday evening, one individual has tested positive and is in stable but critical condition in the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit in Omaha. The outbreak has already caused three deaths among international passengers, according to the World Health Organization.
By Noormahi M. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Late April Outbreak first detected aboard cruise
- Late April Andes virus identified as pathogen
- Late April WHO confirms three passenger deaths
- Following days CDC initiates emergency response
- This week Americans evacuated to Offutt Airbase
- This week Passengers moved to Nebraska quarantine
- Tuesday evening One evacuated American tests positive
- Today Patient monitored in Nebraska biocontainment unit
News Intelligence
- The Andes virus is a deadly strain. It's now on U.S. soil. This could affect travel plans, especially cruises. Check your insurance for pandemic coverage.
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