A group of 17 Americans is back on U.S. soil after the hantavirus virus broke out on their cruise ship. Instead of going home to their families, they were sent straight to a special hospital in Nebraska to make sure the sickness doesn’t spread.
The Americans arrived early Monday morning. Most of them seem okay, but health officials are watching them very closely. So far one person tested positive for the virus but doesn’t feel sick yet. Another is feeling mild symptoms, while another one had a test that didn’t give a clear “yes” or “no” answer. They are staying at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This hospital has a special “quarantine” area made for very dangerous germs. They have used this same area before to treat people with Ebola and COVID-19.
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Hantavirus It is usually very rare, and experts say this is the first time it has ever been found on a cruise ship.While the risk to the rest of us is low… so officials say… it has been very serious for the people on the ship. So far, three people have died and six people total have been infected.
The Situation in Other Countries
The U.S. isn’t the only country worried. France brought home five of its citizens, and one woman is now very sick. French Health Minister Stephanie Rist said the woman started feeling symptoms on the plane ride to Paris and her health got worse overnight.
Back at the ship in the Canary Islands, the scene looked like a movie. Workers wore full-body suits and masks to help people off the boat so they wouldn’t breathe in the virus.
A Message from the Captain
The ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, told everyone he was proud of how they handled the scary situation. He said:
“I’ve witnessed your caring, your unity and quiet strength amongst everybody on board — guests and crew alike — and I must commend my crew for the courage and the selfless resolve that they showed time and again in the most difficult moments. I could not imagine sailing through these circumstances with a better group of people, guests and crew alike.”
For now, the government is telling everyone who was on the ship to stay away from others until they are sure they aren’t sick.