Three New York state residents, including one from New York City, that were aboard the cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak have not tested positive for the virus, New York state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said Tuesday.
All three are quarantining at a medical center in Nebraska and are expected to stay there for a 42-day monitoring period, local health officials said.
The three New Yorkers were among 18 Americans who were on the ship.
“We will be talking to them soon,” McDonald said about the three New Yorkers quarantining in Nebraska. “Keep in mind, they’ve only been there a little over 24 hours. We needed to let them get settled in a little bit, get used to their accommodations and just sort of process all that’s happened. My heart goes out for these three people. They’ve gone through a terrible ordeal.”
Officials said a total of 11 people who were on the ship have been infected, and three people have died.