47 · F

An American woman quarantined in Omaha, Nebraska after potential hantavirus exposure aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has been issued a federal order to remain isolated through May 31. Angela Perryman, 47, tested negative and shows no symptoms, but briefly spoke with a passenger who subsequently died from the disease. The federal quarantine order, approved by the CDC director, mandates her confinement due to the Andes virus strain's rare person-to-person transmission capability and long incubation period (up to 6 weeks). The cruise ship outbreak has resulted in at least 3 deaths and multiple illnesses. A total of 18 U.S. passengers are being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, while 7 additional passengers who departed before outbreak discovery are under state/local surveillance. Perryman plans legal action challenging the quarantine order.