90-Second Read: CDC says previously confirmed Hantavirus case brought to Nebraska Medicine now ‘inconclusive’

The CDC gave an update Wednesday afternoon on the cruise passengers brought to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha after they were exposed to Hantavirus. The release stopped short of confirming that the person had officially tested negative for Hantavirus. A plane carrying 18 Americans exposed to Hantavirus on a cruise ship in Spain arrived at Eppley Airfield just before 2:30 a.m. CDC officials would not say during Wednesday's update whether the passengers are required to stay at the facilities, but have been encouraged to remain there, where they're being monitored and assessed, rather than quarantine at home.

State and local health partners have been checking on the people exposed multiple times daily. Another team has come to Nebraska and was there when the plane landed with the 18 Americans. According to Nebraska Medicine, this facility is the only federally funded quarantine unit in the United States, allowing for safe housing and monitoring of those who may have been exposed to high-consequence infectious diseases. The passengers have been housed in the National Quarantine Unit.

The CDC said the agency activated an emergency response in Atlanta immediately and has more than 100 staff actively working on the response. They have been conducting assessments and supporting the passengers. The unit has 20 300-square-foot rooms available that are fitted with negative air pressure systems to contain any possible viruses. Download the First Alert 6 streaming app to your TV or find us in your favorite streaming platform.