Two passengers associated with a hantavirus outbreak aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship are receiving treatment at Emory University Hospital after arriving in Atlanta from the Canary Islands on Monday (May 11).

The news has sparked concern and cautious reactions among some residents near the hospital.

Gary Rozier, whose wife is undergoing infusion treatment at Emory, expressed his initial worry upon learning about the patients' transfer.

"Last night I was speaking to my wife who is over at Emory receiving her infusion," Rozier told Reuters on Tuesday (May 12) ."I said, look, they just dropped two patients off at Emory. Maybe we should think about this because we don't know. I understand I can't be in control of everything, but at the same token, I am very protective over my queen."

While Rozier acknowledges the importance of caring for Georgia residents, he questioned whether specialized federal facilities might have been a more suitable option.

"I do agree with protecting our own. If they're Georgia residents, then yes, let's get them to Georgia. But at the same token, we have facilities that are designed for that, which is the CDC. So let's get them to the facility that's needed. But apparently Emory has what's needed," said Rozier.

The hospital's Serious Communicable Diseases Unit, which treated Ebola patients in 2014, benefits from its proximity to the CDC, allowing for federal involvement, according to officials.

Others nearby said they were not overly alarmed, noting the hospital’s experience handling infectious diseases.

"Well honestly I just found out about it today that they're there," said Georgia State University student Sophie Riley. "I think so far I'm not too concerned because you know they're at Emory probably quarantining I'm assuming and it doesn't seem it's as far spread or as easily spread which is good."

Still, Riley said the COVID-19 pandemic has left many people wary about how quickly outbreaks can escalate.

“I feel that there's obviously some fear,” Riley told Reuters. “We just went through COVID and they told us that wouldn't be too bad. And then we were shut down for three years. So I think there is some, a little bit, I'm a little skeptical of trusting that they say it's not gonna get bad. But who knows, as long as it's out there, it could get worse.”

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

ATLANTA, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES (May 12, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF CARS DRIVING BY EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

2. SIGN READING (English) 'EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL'

3. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES WALKING OUTSIDE OF HOSPITAL

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ATLANTA RESIDENT, HUSBAND OF PATIENT AT EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, GARY ROZIER, SAYING:

"Last night I was speaking to my wife who is over at Emory receiving her infusion. I said, look, they just dropped two patients off at Emory maybe we should think about this because we don't know. I understand I can't be in control of everything, but at the same token, I am very protective over my queen."

5. CARS DRIVING BY EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

6. SIGN READING (English) 'Clinic & Hospital Parking'

7. SIGN READING (English) 'ADULT EMERGENCY'

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ATLANTA RESIDENT, HUSBAND OF PATIENT AT EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, GARY ROZIER, SAYING:

"Well, there's two sides to that. I do agree with protecting our own. If they're Georgia residents, then yes, let's get them to Georgia. But at the same token, we have facilities that are designed for that, which is the CDC. So let's get them to the facility that's needed. But apparently Emory has what's needed"

9. EMERGENCY ENTRANCE

10. SIGN FOR PATIENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP

11. PERSON RUNNING ACROSS TO EMERGENCY ROOM AREA

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT, 20, SOPHIE RILEY, SAYING:

"Well, honestly, I just found out about it today that they're there. I think so far I'm not too concerned because you know they're at Emory probably quarantining I'm assuming and it doesn't seem it's as far spread or as easily spread which is good."

13. EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BUS MOVING

14. PEOPLE WAITING AT BUS STOP

15. CLOSE UP OF BUS

16. PEOPLE WAITING AT BUS STOP

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT, 20, SOPHIE RILEY, SAYING:

"I feel that there's obviously some fear. We just went through COVID and they told us that wouldn't be too bad. And then we were shut down for three years. So I think there is some, a little bit, I'm a little skeptical of trusting that they say it's not gonna get bad. But who knows, you know, as long as it's out there, it could get worse."

18. CARS DRIVING BY EMORY

19. HOSPITAL ENTRANCE SIGN

20. HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES CROSSING THE STREET