An American woman who may have been exposed to hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship is now fighting a federal quarantine order in Omaha, Nebraska.
Angela Perryman, 47, expected a short stay at the National Quarantine Unit after arriving last week. But on Monday, she was served with a federal order mandating she remain there until May 31-a total of 21 days. Officials warned her that attempting to leave could involve law enforcement.
Perryman says she tested negative for hantavirus and shows no symptoms. However, she briefly spoke with a passenger who later died from the disease.
The federal order, approved by acting CDC head Jay Bhattacharya, cites that leaving could constitute a "probable source of infection." Perryman plans to appeal and is considering legal action.
The quarantine unit features 20 single rooms with negative air pressure, exercise equipment, and Wi-Fi.
A total of 18 American passengers from the MV Hondius are being monitored at the facility. Seven others who disembarked before the outbreak was discovered are under state and local health surveillance.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, notes the incubation period can be up to six weeks, and patients can deteriorate rapidly. The Andes strain of hantavirus has rare person-to-person transmission, prompting extreme caution.
At least three people linked to the outbreak have died, with additional passengers sickened, according to the World Health Organization.
This marks the first large-scale federal quarantine since January 2020, when nearly 200 Americans were isolated after evacuation from Wuhan, China.