A doctor who treated passengers with hantavirus on a cruise ship has been cleared to leave medical isolation in Nebraska. He now joins other Americans being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit.
A doctor who helped care for passengers infected with hantavirus on a cruise ship has been released from medical isolation and is joining others being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit, according to hospital spokesperson Kayla Thomas. Dr. Stephen Kornfeld of Bend, Oregon, was among more than 120 passengers and crew evacuated from the MV Hondius, which had reported hantavirus cases during its voyage.
The oncologist traveled on the cruise ship and was one of fifteen Americans taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha after being placed in a biocontainment unit. Kornfeld's initial nasal swab test for hantavirus produced inconclusive results, leading him to be isolated further than the other passengers. On Wednesday, it was announced that he would join the 15 others who are now being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit instead of the biocontainment facility.
Kornfeld appeared on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" via a video call from his hospital room on Tuesday, stating, "I feel wonderful, 100%." He he had experienced flu-like symptoms such as night sweats and fatigue while on board but now has no symptoms. Dr. David Fitter of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted during a press conference that Kornfeld's initial test results were inconclusive.
The World Health Organization (WHO) a total of 11 hantavirus cases linked to the cruise have been identified worldwide, with three deaths confirmed. Eight cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests. The WHO is recommending that passengers and crew from the cruise ship undergo quarantine for 42 days.
Kornfeld described his experience in Nebraska as a hospital room with a comfortable bed, noting it was "a little weird being in here by myself." However, he added, "The nurses come in, the doctors come in. I'm on WhatsApp all the time. It's really amazing how quickly time flies."
Dr. Stephen Kornfeld, an oncologist who treated passengers infected with hantavirus on a cruise ship, has been released from medical isolation and is now being monitored at the National Quarantine Unit alongside other Americans evacuated from the MV Hondius.
Key medical concepts: Hantavirus infection Clinical categories Infectious diseases Common illnesses & Prevention
Who's behind this story? Andrew Zinin Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success.
