90-Second Read: ‘No room for error': UNMC reflects as quarantine ends for Hantavirus cruise ship passengers

Eighteen American passengers from a cruise ship that saw a Hantavirus outbreak arrived at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on May 11. After 42 days in quarantine, the last of the Hantavirus cruise ship passengers have gone home. But symptoms of Hantavirus can take up to 42 days to appear, so all passengers were "strongly encouraged" to stay through June 21. Their quarantine in Omaha was part of a nationally coordinated effort to assess, contain and treat any potential infections.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requested that passengers remain in quarantine through May 31. Hantavirus is an illness typically tied to rodents, but it may have passed from human to human aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. With the Hantavirus quarantine coming to a close, Vasa said UNMC is keeping a close eye on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Engaging Nebraskans through television, radio, online and mobile platforms.

Wadman said the quarantine unit aims to "constantly improve," so UNMC leaders listened closely to the needs and experiences of those under quarantine. None of us can say we know what it's like, and we want that feedback, so that we can do better every time we activate. Lessons learned in Nebraska will be shared with other regional treatment centers, said Angela Vasa, director of isolation and quarantine for special pathogens at Nebraska Medicine. That includes mental wellness forums for those in quarantine and improved day-to-day operations.