Eighteen Americans who were aboard a cruise ship that experienced a hantavirus exposure are being held under medical observation, officials say. Sixteen of those patients are in Nebraska medical facilities; the remaining two are under observation elsewhere. One American has tested positive for hantavirus.
Health authorities report that the passengers are being monitored in quarantine-like conditions at hospitals and other medical centers as clinicians run tests and watch for symptoms. Medical teams are following established protocols for possible hantavirus exposure, including diagnostic testing and close observation for any respiratory or systemic signs consistent with the infection.
State and local health officials are coordinating care and contact tracing for those who were on the vessel. Hospital staff are screening and isolating patients as needed, and any close contacts are being evaluated according to public health guidance.
Hantavirus can cause serious illness in some patients, so the monitoring aims to identify and treat any cases quickly. At this time, officials have confirmed this one positive test among the Americans who were on the cruise.
CBS News reporter Ian Lee provided the initial update on the quarantine and the number of people under observation. Authorities say they will continue testing and will release more information as it becomes available.