‘I was scared’: Hantavirus cruise passenger speaks for the first time about quarantine at UNMC

A passenger talks about the hantavirus scare that led to his quarantine at UNMC.

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THERE IS MINIMAL RISK OF SPREAD TO THE PUBLIC. FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE’RE HEARING FROM ONE OF THE PASSENGERS WHO WAS ON THE HANTAVIRUS HIT CRUISE SHIP. JAKE ROSMARIN IS IN THE QUARANTINE UNIT ON UNMC’S CAMPUS. ON GMA THIS MORNING, HE SHARED THAT WHEN HE FIRST LEARNED PEOPLE ON BOARD HAD HANTAVIRUS, HE WAS SCARED. HE SAYS HE WAS RELIEVED TO GET OFF OF THE SHIP AND NOW IS IN GOOD SPIRITS, HOLDING UP WELL IN QUARANTINE. SO MY PLAN RIGHT NOW IS TO STAY THROUGH THE 42 DAYS. I THINK THAT IS THE BEST DECISION. THAT’S FOR ME AND FOR MY FAMILY. AND I KNOW THAT HERE I’M IN THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE. JAKE ADDS THAT HE’S RECEIVED

Hantavirus cruise passenger speaks on quarantine at UNMC

Jake Rosmarin says he was scared when he learned about hantavirus on the ship, but he is in good spirits in Omaha

Updated: 12:43 PM CDT May 12, 2026

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Jake Rosmarin is in the national quarantine unit on UNMC’s campus. He spoke Tuesday for the first time since being quarantined after the hantavirus scare on the cruise ship.Rosmarin said he was scared when he first learned people on board had hantavirus, but he was relieved to get off the ship.”So my plan right now is to stay for the 42 days. I think that is the best decision for me and for my family,” Rosmarin said. “And I know that here I’m in the best care possible.”READ MORE: American passengers exposed to Hantavirus have the option to leave quarantine, requirements they need to meetHe said he is getting great care in Omaha and is holding up well in quarantine.Rosmarin and 15 other passengers arrived in Omaha on Monday morning. Officials said one of the passengers tested positive for hantavirus and will stay at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |

OMAHA, Neb. —

Jake Rosmarin is in the national quarantine unit on UNMC’s campus.

He spoke Tuesday for the first time since being quarantined after the hantavirus scare on the cruise ship.

Rosmarin said he was scared when he first learned people on board had hantavirus, but he was relieved to get off the ship.

“So my plan right now is to stay for the 42 days. I think that is the best decision for me and for my family,” Rosmarin said. “And I know that here I’m in the best care possible.”

He said he is getting great care in Omaha and is holding up well in quarantine.

Rosmarin and 15 other passengers arrived in Omaha on Monday morning. Officials said one of the passengers tested positive for hantavirus and will stay at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.

Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.