Florida health officials are reportedly pushing back against quarantine guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concerning passengers exposed to the Andes hantavirus aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius. One American passenger, Angela Perryman, 47, described her situation as being “held hostage in this power struggle between a state and the federal government.” Perryman has been at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s National Quarantine Unit since May 11.
Perryman stated that passengers were initially informed they could complete the remainder of their 42-day quarantine under home supervision after leaving federal quarantine. The first five passengers reportedly went home on June 1. All American passengers aboard the ship have tested negative for the Andes virus.
State Surveillance Disagreements
The CDC had required states to assign law enforcement or public health employees to conduct surveillance outside the homes of quarantined passengers. State health departments were tasked with determining how to implement these measures for passengers returning home. However, Florida health officials have indicated a different approach. Brian Wright, a spokesperson for the Florida Health Department, stated in an email that “neither the state of Florida nor the Department is planning to implement round-the-clock surveillance measures.” He added that the state does “not believe unnecessarily intrusive restrictions are warranted when established public health practices can effectively protect both public health and personal freedom.” The agency has appointed Dr. David Fitter to lead its response, under the temporary leadership of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who has previously voiced criticism of CDC restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hantavirus Outbreak and Passenger Status
Perryman is one of 18 Americans who were on the Hondius when the Andes hantavirus outbreak occurred in May. They were transferred to the Nebraska medical unit, a facility that has previously housed COVID-19 patients from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and Ebola patients. As of Thursday, 10 of the Hondius passengers had departed the federal facility to undergo surveillance in their home states until the end of the 42-day quarantine period on June 22, according to a spokesperson for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The transport of these individuals involved coordination with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, as well as local and state health departments, and utilized appropriate biocontainment measures.
Eight passengers, including Perryman and Jake Rosmarin, who has documented his quarantine experience on Instagram, remain in Nebraska. The Andes strain of hantavirus is notable for its ability to spread from person to person, unlike other strains typically transmitted from rodents. The World Health Organization confirmed 13 cases of Andes virus linked to the cruise ship, resulting in three deaths. No American passengers have developed symptoms. The virus carries a significant fatality rate, estimated at 23%, and has an incubation period of up to six weeks, prompting focused containment efforts.
Mitchell Landsberg is the senior reporter for News Raise and focuses on Technology. Mitchell regularly writes about social media platforms and how influencers, industry and general people use them to communicate and make money.
