End of Quarantine Period for Eight Americans held in Nebraska
After spending six weeks in quarantine in Nebraska due to exposure to the deadly hantavirus, eight Americans have finally been released. One of them claimed that the authorities kept her confined against her will.
The health department of the country confirmed the end of the mandatory isolation for the group. These individuals were part of the several who were rescued from a cruise ship stationed at the Canary Islands.
Details of the Hantavirus Outbreak
The ship, which sailed under a Dutch flag, witnessed 13 cases of a rare strain of hantavirus, known as the Andes strain. This unfortunate event resulted in the death of three individuals and led to the transfer of 18 Americans to a national quarantine unit in Omaha.
Defending the much-criticized 42-day quarantine, a spokesperson from the health department asserted that it was a necessary measure for the welfare of the public. He/she claimed that the successful execution of the response effort was a result of the close collaboration among federal, state, and local partners.
Claims of Unlawful Detention
However, Angela Perryman, one of the passengers, claimed she was detained against her will. She revealed that the group was informed about the end of their quarantine period during lunch on Sunday. Perryman insisted on a flight back to her Florida home the same night, while the rest decided to stay overnight and leave the next day.
Experts in health law deemed Perryman's forced detention as an outcome of an unnecessary quarantine order. They warned that this could set a dangerous precedent. They criticized the decision to override the medical advice by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommended home self-quarantine for those exposed.
Accusations and Reactions
Perryman accused the health department's secretary of pulling off a political stunt. She, along with numerous experts, consider the forced quarantine as arbitrary and unjust, lacking any significant public risk or valid reason.
The Aftermath of the Outbreak
Most of the passengers evacuated from the ship were from different countries. A Dutch couple who first contracted the virus on a trip to South America were amongst those who lost their lives. Before the outbreak was confirmed, around 30 passengers, including seven Americans, disembarked and were allowed to monitor their symptoms at home. Upon reaching the Netherlands, 25 crew members and two medical staff had to enter quarantine.
Fortunately, none of the Americans brought to Nebraska were reported to have contracted the disease, which is typically spread when people inhale contaminated residue from rodent droppings. Symptoms of the Andes virus, the only strain of hantavirus known to spread between humans, can take up to 42 days to appear.
Quarantine Life
During their stay at the quarantine unit in Nebraska, the individuals were treated with special meals from local restaurants and food trucks. They spent their time in hotel-like rooms equipped with desks, televisions, internet connections, and exercise equipment. One of them, Jake Rosmarin, a Boston-based travel blogger, posted a heartfelt farewell video thanking the staff, the community, and his family and friends for their kindness and compassion.
After spending six weeks in quarantine in Nebraska due to exposure to the deadly hantavirus, eight Americans have finally been released. One of them claimed that the authorities kept her confined against her will.
The health department of the country confirmed the end of the mandatory isolation for the group. These individuals were part of the several who were rescued from a cruise ship stationed at the Canary Islands.
Details of the Hantavirus Outbreak
The ship, which sailed under a Dutch flag, witnessed 13 cases of a rare strain of hantavirus, known as the Andes strain. This unfortunate event resulted in the death of three individuals and led to the transfer of 18 Americans to a national quarantine unit in Omaha.
Defending the much-criticized 42-day quarantine, a spokesperson from the health department asserted that it was a necessary measure for the welfare of the public. He/she claimed that the successful execution of the response effort was a result of the close collaboration among federal, state, and local partners.
Claims of Unlawful Detention
However, Angela Perryman, one of the passengers, claimed she was detained against her will. She revealed that the group was informed about the end of their quarantine period during lunch on Sunday. Perryman insisted on a flight back to her Florida home the same night, while the rest decided to stay overnight and leave the next day.
Experts in health law deemed Perryman's forced detention as an outcome of an unnecessary quarantine order. They warned that this could set a dangerous precedent. They criticized the decision to override the medical advice by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommended home self-quarantine for those exposed.
Accusations and Reactions
Perryman accused the health department's secretary of pulling off a political stunt. She, along with numerous experts, consider the forced quarantine as arbitrary and unjust, lacking any significant public risk or valid reason.
The Aftermath of the Outbreak
Most of the passengers evacuated from the ship were from different countries. A Dutch couple who first contracted the virus on a trip to South America were amongst those who lost their lives. Before the outbreak was confirmed, around 30 passengers, including seven Americans, disembarked and were allowed to monitor their symptoms at home. Upon reaching the Netherlands, 25 crew members and two medical staff had to enter quarantine.
Fortunately, none of the Americans brought to Nebraska were reported to have contracted the disease, which is typically spread when people inhale contaminated residue from rodent droppings. Symptoms of the Andes virus, the only strain of hantavirus known to spread between humans, can take up to 42 days to appear.
Quarantine Life
During their stay at the quarantine unit in Nebraska, the individuals were treated with special meals from local restaurants and food trucks. They spent their time in hotel-like rooms equipped with desks, televisions, internet connections, and exercise equipment. One of them, Jake Rosmarin, a Boston-based travel blogger, posted a heartfelt farewell video thanking the staff, the community, and his family and friends for their kindness and compassion.