CDC, Florida health officials at odds over hantavirus cruise ship passenger’s quarantine

June 12, 2026 - 02:44

One of the 18 passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius says she feels like she is being "held hostage" and just wants to go home. The passenger, who asked not to be identified, spoke out as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Florida health officials remain at odds over quarantine protocols following a suspected hantavirus case on board.

The disagreement centers on whether the passengers should remain isolated after potential exposure to the rare but often deadly virus. The CDC has recommended a strict quarantine period, citing the risk of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can be fatal. Florida health authorities, however, have pushed for a more flexible approach, arguing that the immediate threat is low and that passengers who show no symptoms should be allowed to leave.

The MV Hondius docked in Fort Lauderdale earlier this week after a voyage that included stops in South America. One crew member was hospitalized with symptoms consistent with hantavirus, prompting the CDC to step in. The passenger described the situation as confusing and frustrating, saying she has been confined to her cabin with little clear information about when she can leave.

Neither the CDC nor the Florida Department of Health has issued a joint statement resolving the standoff. The passenger added that she just wants to go home and feels like her freedom has been taken away without cause. Health officials continue to monitor the situation, with test results on the hospitalized crew member still pending.