Sixteen passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship arrived at the University of Nebraska Medical Center early Monday morning.
The travelers had been exposed to Hantavirus while on the ship and placed into the National Quarantine Unit at UNMC shortly after arrival.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents, causing severe, often fatal respiratory or renal illnesses in humans.
The virus is transmitted through contact with rodent urine, feces, or saliva, with the Andes virus being the only known type to spread between humans.
One of the passengers tested positive for the virus but is asymptomatic. However, another traveler is showing mild symptoms.
Governor Jim Pillen said state officials are taking the hantavirus situation very seriously.
He added the state’s administration and officials who run the national quarantine unit are working overtime to contain the virus to ensure it doesn’t spread.
At least three travelers have died from the disease, while several others have become ill.
