Hantavirus survivor shares diagnosis story amid outbreak concerns
Hantavirus survivor Jennifer Benewiat shares her harrowing story of contracting the lethal illness in 2010. She describes being on a ventilator, her coronary heart stopping thrice, and having to relearn fundamental motor abilities. Fox Information senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel reassures viewers about present circumstances, noting variations from previous outbreaks and the virus’s rarity.
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The cruise ship passengers being monitored for hantavirus in Nebraska will probably be allowed to depart the medical facility earlier than the tip of a 42-day interval if sure situations are met, a public health official indicated Monday.
The people will stay on the facility in Nebraska for a minimum of a couple of days throughout assessments, Brendan Jackson, performing director of the Division of Excessive-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Nationwide Middle for Rising and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, stated.
They are going to have the selection to remain in Nebraska all 42 days if they need, but when they select to return residence, there will probably be a number of elements that play into the choice, similar to whether or not “they continue to be symptom free,” he stated.
Well being officers will even assess whether or not passengers can safely isolate at residence, keep contact with native well being departments and rapidly entry testing or medical care if signs develop.
AMERICANS EXPOSED TO HANTAVIRUS ABOARD CRUISE SHIP LAND IN NEBRASKA
Brendan Jackson, MD, the Facilities of Illness Management and Prevention performing director of the division of high-consequence pathogens and pathology, speaks throughout a press convention on the Davis International Middle on the College of Nebraska Medical Middle campus, which holds the Nationwide Quarantine Unit, on Might 11, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (Dylan Widger/Getty Photographs)
Solely those that can meet these requirements, and whose residence states can coordinate monitoring, will probably be cleared to depart.
Nonetheless, officers emphasised that the ultimate determination will in the end contain the passengers themselves.
“Sure,” Jackson stated when requested if it could be their selection. “We wish to do that within the least restrictive method attainable… that protects the well being and security of each the passengers and their communities.”
Jackson famous passengers can stay on the facility for the complete monitoring interval if wanted.
Of the 18 people transported again to the U.S. after a hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship, 16 at the moment are in Nebraska, whereas two are in Atlanta.
Fifteen of the people in Nebraska are in quarantine, whereas one was positioned within the biocontainment unit, famous Michael Wadman, medical director of the Nationwide Quarantine Unit at College of Nebraska Medical Middle.
Angela Hewlett, MD, the medical director of Nebraska Biocontainment Unit speaks throughout a press convention on the Davis International Middle on the College of Nebraska Medical Middle campus, which holds the Nationwide Quarantine Unit, on Might 11, 2026 in Omaha, Neb. (Dylan Widger/Getty Photographs)
Angela Hewlett, medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, famous throughout the press convention that the person within the biocontainment unit beforehand had an “equivocal optimistic check,” which she famous was “not in america. The particular person was not experiencing any signs, she stated.
One of many passengers transported to Atlanta was symptomatic, Matthew Ferreira of HHS famous.
The chance hantavirus poses to most of the people is “very, very low,” Assistant Secretary for Well being on the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies Adm. Brian Christine stated throughout the information convention.
“The Andes variant of this virus doesn’t unfold simply and it requires extended, shut contact with somebody who’s already symptomatic,” he defined.
HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS KEY MOMENTS IN DEADLY CRUISE CRISIS
This aerial image reveals a common view of the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Might 4, 2026. (AFP through Getty Photographs)
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The CDC explains on-line that “Andes virus is the one sort of hantavirus that’s identified to unfold person-to-person. This unfold is normally restricted to individuals who have shut contact with a sick particular person. This contains direct bodily contact, extended time spent in shut or enclosed areas, and publicity to the sick particular person’s physique fluids.”
Fox Information Digital’s Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
