AUSTIN, Texas – Two Texas residents who were monitored for possible hantavirus exposure after traveling aboard an Antarctic cruise ship have completed their observation period without developing symptoms, Texas health officials said Saturday.

Antarctic cruise hantavirus outbreak details

What we know:

The Texas Department of State Health Services said the passengers reached 42 days since their last possible exposure to the Andes strain of hantavirus, the longest known period between exposure and the onset of symptoms. The agency said neither person showed signs of infection and no longer faces any public health recommendations related to the exposure.

Cruise passengers clear 42-day quarantine

The passengers had traveled aboard the MV Hondius, where several people later became ill with the Andes strain of hantavirus. The Texas residents had already left the ship and returned home before the outbreak was identified.

What they’re saying:

State health officials recommended monitoring for all passengers who had been aboard the vessel. In Texas, the two passengers were isolated at home and received twice-daily in-person evaluations by public health workers throughout the monitoring period.

“I’d like to thank the passengers for their willingness to collaborate with public health throughout the monitoring period,” Chief State Epidemiologist Dr. Varun Shetty said in a statement. “I would also like to thank the many dedicated public health professionals who worked on this situation and work every day to keep their fellow Texans safe.”

Hantavirus Symptoms and Transmission

What you can do:

Hantaviruses are typically spread through contact with infected rodents or their droppings. The Andes strain, found primarily in South America, is notable because it can spread between people, unlike most other hantaviruses.

Texas health officials did not report any infections among the monitored passengers.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The first week of June brought rare challenges to the forefront of Texans’ minds.

From the battle against New World screwworms in Texas to an ultra-rare genetic disease, here’s what you may have missed this week.

First, second case of New World screwworm discovered in Texas

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the state’s first case of the New World screwworm (NWS) in South Texas. It was the first case in Texas since 1966.

The case was found in the umbilical cord of a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas.

The parasitic fly, which lays eggs in the wounds or orifices of animals, can be fatal for livestock. Experts said the NWS has the dangerous potential to wreak havoc on the cattle industry in Texas.

On Friday, a second Texas case of the New World screwworm was confirmed. The case was also discovered in South Texas.

Officials said the latest case was identified in a calf in Zavala County, which is about 100 miles southwest of San Antonio.

State and federal agencies were working to contain the spread and have established a 20-kilometer control zone around the affected area, put quarantine measures in place and imposed restrictions on animal movement.

In response, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an updated declaration to help speed up sterile fly production.

The sterile fly method, which disrupts the life cycle of the parasite, was used to eradicate the NWS from the United States 60 years ago. However, previous outbreaks needed 500 million sterile flies weekly to eradicate the parasite.

It’s illegal to buy and sell human bones in Texas, but what about owning them?

A man in Kyle was recently arrested for allegedly attempting to sell a human skull via Facebook Marketplace. He faces a charge of purchase or sale of human organs, a felony under Texas law. But what is considered a “human organ”? And is it illegal to own one, too?

According to Texas law, the following are considered “human organs”: human kidney, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, eye, bone, skin or any other human organ or tissue.

State law — Sec. 48.02 and 48.03 of the Texas Penal Code — prohibits the purchase and sale of human organs, point blank.

There are some exceptions, though, mostly relating to medical practices and organ donation.

Texas family races to save baby with ultra-rare disease as scientists work on cure

A Travis County family is racing against time to save their baby boy from an ultra-rare genetic disease – one so uncommon, fewer than 50 people in the world are known to have it.

Everett Blomstrom was born prematurely at 31 weeks and spent 143 days in the hospital when doctors diagnosed him with a condition affecting his hexokinase (HK1) enzyme.

The disease keeps a critical enzyme stuck in the “on” position, triggering a dangerous chain reaction in his body. “It’s all gas, no brakes,” his mother said.

Experts said the mutation causes a toxic buildup that damages the brain, leading to seizures and neurological decline, eventually resulting in childhood dementia.

As a judge weighs whether to reinstate the eligibility of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, the NCAA has reiterated its decision that Sorsby’s gambling habits prevent him from playing again.

Via Justin Williams of The Athletic, the NCAA denied Texas Tech’s appeal aimed at restoring Sorsby’s eligibility to play in 2026.

It’s no surprise, and it also has no impact on the pending civil case. The question comes down to whether the judge who heard arguments in the case on June 1 decides whether to overturn the NCAA’s position.

The NCAA would surely pursue any available appeals, and time is of the essence. Sorsby’s deadline for applying for the NFL’s 2026 supplemental draft arrives on June 22.