An American passenger affected by a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise shared details about her 42 days in strict isolation at a premier quarantine facility, reflecting on the tragic end of her voyage.
Jake Rosmarin, a travel influencer from Boston, described her journey on the MV Hondius as intended to be a remarkable adventure that took a dark turn when three people succumbed to illness during the cruise’s final hours.
“We explored incredible destinations—things we never imagined experiencing. But, about a day or two before we were meant to disembark on May 4, everything changed dramatically,” Rosmarin recounted.
While the ship was docked in Argentina, it was revealed that a passenger, 69-year-old Leo Silpeauld, had contracted the Andean hantavirus prior to the trip while birdwatching in South America. This virus ultimately led to the deaths of Mr. Silperort, his wife, and a German woman who was with them.
During the crisis, Rosmarin shared her firsthand experiences on social media after the MV Hondius reached Cape Verde but was barred from disembarking due to concerns about virus transmission.
“I’m currently on the MV Hondius, and the situation is very real,” an emotional Rosmarin conveyed to her followers back then.
Now in the U.S. and on her seventh day of isolation at the National Quarantine Unit in Omaha, Rosmarin describes her time as one long wait for her quarantine to conclude.
She, along with 17 other Americans at the facility—none of whom had the virus—must remain indoors, with specialized ventilation systems set up to minimize any risk of contamination.
“Most of my day is spent in my room with not much to do,” she explained.
Her only interactions come from medical staff who perform daily check-ins and virtual meetings where they keep everyone informed about the situation.
“Aside from that, I keep myself occupied and make sure to eat three meals a day. My family and friends have been sending me puzzles to help pass the time,” Rosmarin shared.
At least one passenger initially tested positive for hantavirus, with another showing mild symptoms, as noted by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Steven Kornfeld, an American who had tested positive during the cruise, later received a negative result, leading health officials to suspect he had a false positive after showing flu-like symptoms while aboard.
