The cruise ship passengers being monitored for hantavirus in Nebraska may be allowed to leave before the end of a 42-day period if certain conditions are met, a public health official said Monday.
Brendan Jackson of the CDC said passengers must remain symptom-free and be able to safely isolate at home, maintain contact with local health departments, and quickly access testing or care if symptoms develop.
Officials said the final decision rests with the passengers. Of the 18 brought back to the U.S. after the outbreak, 16 are in Nebraska and two are in Atlanta. Fifteen are in quarantine; one is in a biocontainment unit after an equivocal positive test.
One passenger in Atlanta is symptomatic. The Andes hantavirus variant does not spread easily, requiring prolonged close contact with a symptomatic person.