1 American returning from hantavirus-stricken cruise showing symptoms, another US passenger postive: HHS

An American passenger returning to the US from the hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius cruise ship has tested positive for the deadly virus, while a second is showing mild symptoms, health officials said.The two passengers will fly inside biocontainment units during a repatriation flight to bring all 17 US passengers from the luxury cruise liner to the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Sunday evening.One of the passengers has tested “mildly PCR positive” for Andes virus — which already claimed the lives of three passengers aboard the ship and sickened several others.The other passenger is currently exhibiting mild symptoms.It is not yet known whether they have been tested for the rodent-borne virus.“As of now, the airlift will transport passengers to the ASPR Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska before taking the passenger with mild symptoms to a second RESPTC at its final destination,” the HHS said.Upon arrival at each facility, each passenger will undergo a clinical assessment and receive the appropriate care and support based on their condition.The World Health Organization has recommended a 42-day isolation period for the passengers of the ill-fated vessel.

A staggering 38% of those who get respiratory symptoms from the disease die, according to the CDC.This is a developing story.Please check back for updates....