Hantavirus Cruise Passenger Says She’s ‘Being Held Hostage’ Due to Public Health Dispute Between CDC, Florida
Angela Perryman, a 47-year-old Florida native, remains under federal quarantine in Omaha, Nebraska, following potential hantavirus exposure on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Despite a CDC recommendation for home monitoring, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed an order on June 15 to maintain her quarantine because evidence suggests she is “reasonably believed to be infected,” according to a copy of the order obtained by Inside Medicine.
Why is Angela Perryman still in federal quarantine?
Perryman is one of eight passengers still monitored at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as of June 12, according to a press release from the facility. She was part of a group of 18 American passengers who returned to the U.S. on May 11, as announced by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
While the CDC confirmed on its website that the eight remaining quarantined individuals are “symptom-free” and meet criteria for home monitoring, the federal order signed by Secretary Kennedy overrides those conditions. During a June 11 hearing, CDC quarantine medical reviewer Dr. Michael Bell recommended Perryman be allowed to return home with daily remote monitoring and 24-hour access to help, according to The New York Times.
What is the conflict between Florida and federal health officials?
Perryman told Today she believes she is “caught in a power struggle between the federal government and the state of Florida,” describing her situation as being “held hostage.” She claimed she was “lied to” regarding the voluntary nature of her quarantine.
The Florida Health Department has pushed back against strict federal measures. Brian Wright, a spokesman for the department, told NBC News that Florida does not plan to implement “round-the-clock surveillance measures.” Wright stated the state believes “unnecessarily intrusive restrictions” are not warranted when established health practices can protect both public health and personal freedom.
What happens next for the quarantined passengers?
Perryman is currently fighting to complete her six-week quarantine period at home. She told Today she would not leave her house even if she felt fine, arguing that staying alone in a home poses no danger to the broader public.
A possible next step could involve further legal or administrative challenges to the June 15 order. Depending on the findings of federal health officials, Perryman and the other seven passengers in Omaha may eventually be cleared for release once the six-week window expires or if new medical evidence is presented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who signed the order to keep Angela Perryman in quarantine?
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the order on June 15.
What was the CDC’s recommendation for Perryman’s care?
Dr. Michael Bell, the CDC’s quarantine medical reviewer, recommended she return home with remote symptom monitoring once daily and 24-hour access to help if symptoms developed.
How many passengers from the MV Hondius were initially quarantined in the U.S.?
Eighteen American passengers returned to the U.S.; 16 were sent to Omaha, Nebraska, and two were sent to Atlanta, Georgia.
Do you believe federal health mandates should always override state health guidelines during a quarantine?