Two passengers exposed to hantavirus arrived in Atlanta on Monday for medical care and assessment [1].
The arrivals mark the first stage of a U.S. medical response to an Andes hantavirus outbreak aboard the Dutch-flagged cruise ship MV Hondius. Because hantaviruses can cause severe respiratory distress, health officials are using high-level containment to prevent further spread and treat those showing symptoms.
The passengers were taken to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia [2]. One of the individuals is currently symptomatic, while the other remains under evaluation [1]. Reports on the total number of passengers now in Georgia vary, with some sources saying two arrived while others indicate four are now in the state [2].
These transfers followed a broader disembarkation process that took place between May 10 and May 11, 2026 [3]. A total of three people were placed in biocontainment upon their arrival in the U.S. [4].
Other passengers linked to the vessel arrived in Nebraska via a Boeing 747 operated by Kalitta Air [5]. The flight departed from Tenerife and landed at Eppley Airfield in Omaha just before 2:30 a.m. local time [5]. According to some reports, 18 Americans landed in Nebraska, where they remain under monitoring [6].
The Andes hantavirus is typically transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents. The use of biocontainment units at Emory University Hospital indicates that health officials are prioritizing the isolation of the most critical cases to ensure patient safety and public health security.
“Two passengers exposed to hantavirus arrived in Atlanta on Monday for medical care and assessment.”
The transfer of symptomatic passengers to Emory University Hospital, a facility known for its expertise in high-consequence pathogens, suggests that health authorities are treating this as a significant biosafety event. By splitting the cohort between specialized biocontainment in Georgia and general monitoring in Nebraska, the U.S. is attempting to isolate the most dangerous clinical cases while maintaining a surveillance net for others who may develop delayed symptoms.
