State leaders tout world-class care for cruise ship passengers exposed to hantavirus

Nebraska Medicine and the University of Nebraska Medical Center will receive and monitor American citizens from the cruise ship impacted by the hantavirus outbreak.They will be observed in the National Quarantine Unit, which is on the campus of the Nebraska Medical Center and UNMC.READ MORE: Nebraska Medicine will quarantine American citizens on cruise ship impacted by hantavirus outbreakOmaha and Nebraska leaders said the state is “ready to step up and help the nation.” Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr.”Omaha is proud to answer the call. This is a city with state-of-the-art medical care, a national security infrastructure and a desire to help. Cruise ship individuals and their families will find in Omaha a welcoming city that will provide excellent service,” Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. said in a statement. “We have full trust in the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine. We also know there is little to no public health risk in the transport and housing of the individuals headed here. They are our neighbors, and we are grateful we can serve them and our country. We are in constant touch with federal, state and other local partners on this and will keep everyone informed going forward.” Sen. Pete Ricketts “The team at UNMC are the tops in their field, the elite. When I was Governor, Nebraska took some of the first Americans rescued from cruise ships during the COVID pandemic. UNMC did a fantastic job helping then. They will do a great job again. Nebraska is always ready to step up and help the nation,” U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts said.Congressman Mike Flood”UNMC is home to one of the world’s leading biocontainment units,” Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood said. “For years, UNMC has been at the forefront of treating Americans with infectious diseases. I’m confident they will rise to the occasion again to provide care for Americans with hantavirus.”Congressman Don Bacon”UNMC has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s premier infectious disease and biocontainment centers, and we are grateful these Americans will have access to world-class care and expertise. The team and leadership at UNMC are among the very best in the world, and the Nebraska Congressional delegation has worked for years to support and strengthen these capabilities through sustained federal investment. I have full confidence in UNMC’s ability to provide exceptional care while protecting public health,” Rep. Don Bacon said.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen”Nebraska has a proud tradition of stepping up for our fellow Americans in moments of need, and we are fully committed to support our federal, state and local partners in this mission,” Gov. Jim Pillen said. “Nebraska is the world leader in dealing with infectious disease, our professionals in this field at the State and at the University of Nebraska Medical Center will ensure the safe quarantine of these Americans. Our state public health team is fully engaged with our federal and University partners, and my office is in constant touch with President Trump, Secretary Kennedy, and their teams.”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 |