New York man quarantined after hantavirus outbreak shares update from national quarantine unit
Jake Rosmarin shared a video tour Tuesday from inside his quarantine room in Nebraska, saying he is “feeling well” after returning to the U.S. from the MV Hondius cruise ship tied to a deadly hantavirus outbreak.
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A New York travel blogger who documented the deadly hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship is now sharing updates from inside a federal quarantine facility in Nebraska after returning to the United States.
Jake Rosmarin posted a new video Tuesday from the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where the Orange County travel blogger from Monroe and other American passengers are being monitored following possible exposure to the Andes strain of hantavirus aboard the ship.
In the video, Rosmarin gave followers a tour of the room where he says he expects to spend the coming weeks during quarantine. The video shows a stationary bike, medical monitoring equipment, a television, refrigerator and other supplies inside the room.
“I’m feeling well,” Rosmarin said in the video. “I’m in relatively good spirits and I hope to be able to keep you all a little more updated throughout this process.”
Rosmarin also pushed back on online rumors falsely suggesting he was the American passenger who tested positive for the virus.
“My photo was used in an article, but if you actually read the article, it states that I am in the quarantine unit — not that I was the person who tested positive,” he said. “I’m not the person who tested positive.”
The video came a day after Rosmarin posted another update from Omaha following what he described as a “smooth” repatriation flight back to the United States.
“It’s been a very long few days,” he wrote Monday. “Thank you again to everyone who has been supportive throughout all of this, it truly means a lot.”
The updates come as new details emerge about the U.S. response to the outbreak aboard the MV Hondius, which has been linked to at least three deaths and multiple confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus.
According to Reuters and other national reports, 18 passengers were flown back to the United States and placed under quarantine following the outbreak. One American passenger tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus but was reportedly asymptomatic, while another American passenger was reported to be experiencing mild symptoms.
Health officials say the Andes strain is rare because it can spread person-to-person through prolonged close contact, though authorities continue to stress the overall risk to the public remains low.
The New York State Department of Health confirmed this week that three passengers connected to the ship are New York residents — including people from Orange County, Westchester County and New York City.
All three New Yorkers arrived at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and are expected to undergo a 42-day monitoring period, according to state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
Rosmarin first drew widespread attention last week after posting firsthand updates from onboard the quarantined ship as it traveled toward Spain’s Canary Islands. At the time, he said no additional passengers onboard were showing symptoms and thanked crew members and medical staff for supporting those still at sea.
Monroe Town Supervisor Maureen Richardson previously told News 12 the community was rallying around Rosmarin and his family.
“The community is proud that you’re out there doing what you love,” Richardson said last week. “We’re just hoping for the best and for your safe return.”
