OMAHA, NE — American passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, at the center of a growing hantavirus outbreak, arrived in Nebraska early Monday for evaluation at the only federally funded quarantine unit in the United States. The 18 U.S. passengers landed at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha before heading to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. One passenger who tested positive was taken directly to the biocontainment unit. Two others were transported to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta — one showing symptoms, one identified as a close contact. The outbreak was first reported to the World Health Organization on May 2, 2026. The virus has been identified as the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only known strain capable of spreading from person to person. As of Monday at least nine cases have been confirmed including three deaths. CDC has classified its response at Level 3 — its lowest emergency level — and says the risk to the general American public remains extremely low. The Nebraska facility previously treated Ebola patients and some of the first Americans infected with COVID-19 aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in 2020. NCN will continue monitoring developments. 📍 Omaha, Nebraska 🗓️ May 11, 2026 Real Stories. Real Impact. Across America. — National Correspondent Network