Passengers exposed to hantavirus get Nebraska food, Tai Chi and tornado warning experience during quarantine
Updated: 8:39 PM CDT May 22, 2026
Passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship continue their stay in the National Quarantine Unit, and along the way, they are learning the meaning of “Nebraska Nice.”
“In Nebraska, it’s the people, and they’re learning every day, falling in love with Nebraska even though it’s not quite the circumstance they would hope,” Gov. Jim Pillen said.
Advertisement
To start their Nebraska education, guests ate meals from Omaha restaurants Paddy McGowan’s and Bomb Taco.
“I want to get the guests some really good pieces of pork tenderloin as long as Dr. Wadman can get the chefs to cook it correctly,” Pillen said.
He’s also working to bring in another Nebraska favorite — Runza. It’s not all about the food, Dr. Michael Wadman, medical director of the Nebraska Quarantine Unit, said. Those in quarantine need to stay active, Wadman said.
“We have been seeing use of the treadmills and on the stationary bikes, the ellipticals in the rooms,” Wadman said.
Staff also arranged for a Tai Chi class to be taught along with other workshops teaching about Nebraska. One spoke about the mammoth fossils found in Nebraska.
“We have some planned sessions on Nebraska grassland birds and the Sandhill crane migrations, which, you know, this is a group that’s very active and very interested in nature for the most part,” Wadman said.
These passengers are from all over the country, but none of the Midwest, and recent storms put them in their first tornado warning.
“Some of the guests felt stretching their legs and a little change in scenery was a positive thing, and one even jokingly asked if we could have tornadoes every week so that they could have the same experience,” Wadman said.
CDC guidelines on quarantine stay
Officials say all guidance on how long passengers remain in quarantine must come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On May 19, the organization ordered passengers to stay in Nebraska until at least May 31.
“Each of them are being evaluated, and we’ll have a plan that’s tailored to what the CDC decides for each,” Wadman said.
On Friday, the World Health Organization announced another hantavirus case in the Netherlands.
“Any case, any symptoms, any positive test anywhere gives us more information about the biology of this viral illness,” Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, said.
Officials said some of those in quarantine have asked if they can leave. They are currently on day 12 of quarantine. May 31 would mark Day 21, but the recommended stay is 42 days.
“We would love everyone to stay the 42 days, but there are conversations on whether or not folks will be leaving prior to that. Again, that is the CDC lane and not my lane,” Capt. Michael Garner, ASPR regional administrator, said.
KETV reached out to the CDC for comment. We are still waiting to hear back.