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An oncologist traveling on a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak has been released from a biocontainment unit in Nebraska, where he was isolated
after assisting sick passengers on board. Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist from Bend, Oregon, was among over 120 passengers and crew evacuated from the ship. He was flown to various countries to enter quarantine, ultimately being admitted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center with 15 other Americans, though he was the only individual placed in an isolated biocontainment unit due to inconclusive test results regarding the virus.
On Wednesday, the hospital announced that Kornfeld would join the other 15 Americans under monitoring at the National Quarantine Unit instead of remaining in the biocontainment unit, according to hospital spokesperson Kayla Thomas.Kornfeld participated in a video call on CNN’s 'Erin Burnett OutFront' from his hospital room, stating, 'I feel wonderful, 100%.' He recounted experiencing flu-like symptoms on the ship, including night sweats, chills, and fatigue, but confirmed that he currently shows no symptoms.
The World Health Organization reported that 11 hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been documented globally, resulting in three fatalities, with laboratory tests confirming eight cases.
Kornfeld indicated that a nasal swab taken aboard the ship underwent two tests in the Netherlands, yielding one negative and one positive result. Earlier this week, he awaited the results of a new test conducted upon his return to the United States.
Dr. David Fitter from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remarked to reporters on Wednesday, 'The initial test that we received was from abroad and it was inconclusive in its results.'
Besides those monitored in Nebraska, two other Americans are being observed at the serious communicable disease unit at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Health authorities have noted that this represents the first hantavirus outbreak recorded on a cruise ship. While no cure or vaccine exists for hantavirus, the WHO asserts that early detection and treatment can enhance survival rates.
Public health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public from the cruise ship outbreak remains low. Hantavirus typically spreads through rodent droppings and is not easily transmitted between humans, although the Andes virus detected on the Hondius may have rare instances of human-to-human transmission.
The WHO has advised that passengers and crew from the cruise ship should remain in quarantine, whether at home or in other facilities, for a duration of 42 days.
Kornfeld described his experience in the biocontainment unit as being in a hospital room with a comfortable bed. 'It’s a little weird being in here by myself,' he said before his release. 'But the nurses come in, the doctors come in. I’m on WhatsApp all the time. It’s really amazing how quickly time flies.'
