Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Keeps Hantavirus‑Exposed Cruise Passenger in Nebraska Quarantine

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ordered that Angela Perryman, a cruise‑ship passenger exposed to hantavirus, remain in quarantine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center despite a federal medical review recommending release. The review by CDC‑affiliated doctor Michael Bell concluded that Perryman, who has shown no symptoms five weeks after exposure, could safely complete quarantine at home with daily temperature checks.

Florida officials declined to meet the federal requirement for round‑the‑clock monitoring, proposing a less stringent protocol that experts deemed reasonable. Public‑health law scholar Lawrence Gostin called Kennedy’s decision an “egregious violation” of a citizen’s rights. Perryman described the facility as prison‑like and said she wanted to finish quarantine in Florida, where she has a permanent residence. The quarantine is set to end on June 21.

The case has sparked debate over the balance of public‑health authority and individual liberty, drawing criticism from legal scholars and health officials who argue the order exceeds statutory authority.