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Hantavirus live updates: Americans in quarantine seen in good spirits
Two cruise ship passengers complimented the quarantine staff and doctors.
The total number of confirmed and probable cases of hantavirus of those who were onboard the MV Hondius cruise ship stands at 10, including two people confirmed to have died from the virus and one person who remains suspected to have died from the virus.
Passengers began disembarking on Sunday in the Canary Islands, where many boarded charter flights to their home countries.
Sixteen American passengers arrived on Monday at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Fifteen of those passengers were being monitored in a quarantine unit and another, who had initially tested positive, was in a biocontainment unit, officials said. Later, that person tested negative and was medically cleared to go to the quarantine unit.
Two other American passengers were flown to Atlanta for "further assessment and care," officials said.
Key Headlines
- American doctor who initially tested positive moved from isolation after negative test
- Minnesota monitoring person 'potentially exposed' to hantavirus, Health Department says
- Potential hantavirus case in Illinois not related to ship outbreak, health officials say
- American quarantining in Nebraska shares video tour of his room
- Passengers in Nebraska undergoing in-depth interviews, symptom monitoring
- 2 people being monitored in Seattle area
What is hantavirus and how does it spread?
Here's what you need to know about hantavirus including what it is, how it spreads, how it's treated and if there are any prevention methods:
What is hantavirus?
Hantaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause serious illnesses and death, according to the CDC.
How does hantavirus spread?
Hantaviruses may also spread from person to person, but that also is rare and only suspected for one subtype from South America, according to the WHO.
Read more about hantavirus here.
Eligible passengers who opt to go home won't fly commercial: CDC
In the coming days, as the cruise ship passengers decide whether to stay at the University of Nebraska quarantine facility or self-monitor at home, those who opt to go home will not fly on a commercial flight, an official from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told ABC News. Passengers who opt to go home will have been assessed by health officials for any signs of illness.
-ABC News’ Youri Benadjaoud
Trump says US in 'good shape,' adding, 'I hope it's fine'
President Donald Trump discussed the hantavirus outbreak on Monday, saying, "We think we're in very good shape. We're very careful."
“It’s been around for a long time," he said of the hantavirus. "People are very familiar with it. So, you know, I hope it's fine."
“All I can do is, everything that a president can do, which is something which is actually somewhat limited,” he continued.
Trump also defended his withdrawal from the World Health Organization earlier this year, saying he is “glad” he made this decision.
“No, I’m glad,” Trump said when asked if he regrets withdrawing from WHO.
“We weren't being treated well, and they were making the wrong diagnoses,” he claimed, later arguing that the organization either “lied” to him or “didn’t know.”
-ABC News’ Emily Chang
3 of the newly returned Americans live in New York
On Monday, 16 American cruise ship passengers arrived at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; 15 are in the quarantine unit and one person who tested positive is in the biocontainment unit.
Three of those passengers now in Nebraska are residents of New York, according to New York state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
“One passenger is from New York City, while the other two are residents of Orange County and Westchester County. All three are expected to be subject to a 42-day monitoring period," McDonald said in a statement.
“It is important to emphasize that there is no immediate risk to the public,” McDonald added.
2 passengers at Emory in Atlanta, 1 symptomatic and 1 asymptomatic
Emory University Hospital said that, of the two cruise ship passengers now at its Serious Communicable Diseases Unit, one is symptomatic and is “receiving care in Emory’s biocontainment unit.”
The other passenger is asymptomatic and is “undergoing evaluation and monitoring.”
These two passengers are a couple, officials said earlier on Monday.