Hantavirus quarantine ends for Americans held for six weeks in Nebraska

Eight Americans quarantined for six weeks in Nebraska after they were exposed to a deadly hantavirus outbreak were released on Monday, including one who accused the government of holding her against her will . The US health and human services department (HHS) confirmed that it had ended the required isolation for the group, who were among dozens evacuated from the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Canary Islands early in May. Three people died and 13 cases of the rare Andes strain of hantavirus were identified on the Dutch-flagged vessel, leading to 18 Americans originally transferring to the national quarantine unit in Omaha. In a statement to the Associated Press, an HHS spokesperson said the enforced 42-day quarantine of the final eight passengers – which some critics have called “authoritarian” and “unconstitutional” – was necessary for the public good. “Through close collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, HHS helped protect the American people, contain potential risks, and bring this response effort to a successful conclusion,” the spokesperson, Emily Hilliard, said in an email. However, one passenger, Angela Perryman, said she was detained against her wishes. Speaking to the AP on Monday, she said the remaining eight were told on Sunday lunchtime that the quarantine period had ended and they were free to leave the University of Nebraska medical center. …