An oncologist who was isolated in a Nebraska biocontainment unit after a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has been cleared to leave. Dr. Stephen Kornfeld of Bend, Oregon, was the only American taken to a separate unit after a nasal swab tested positive for the virus. He was among more than 120 passengers and crew evacuated from the MV Hondius in April and flown to various countries for quarantine.
Kornfeld reported flu-like symptoms, including night sweats and fatigue, but said he currently has no symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 11 hantavirus cases linked to the cruise, including three deaths. Eight cases were confirmed by laboratory tests. Kornfeld’s initial test results were inconclusive, with one sample testing negative and another positive. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is awaiting further test results.
In addition to those in Nebraska, two other Americans are being monitored at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. The CDC stated that the initial test results were inconclusive and that further testing is underway.