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Source: https://www.shawlocal.com/news/2026...otential-hantavirus-case-in-winnebago-county/
Illinois investigating potential hantavirus case in Winnebago County
May 12, 2026 at 7:43 pm CDT
Illinois health officials are investigating a potential case of hantavirus in a Winnebago County resident who is believed to have been exposed while cleaning a home containing rodent droppings, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
IDPH officials said Tuesday the case is not connected to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship hantavirus outbreak that involved the Andes strain of the virus in South America.
The resident has not traveled internationally, did not have contact with anyone connected to the cruise outbreak, and is recovering after experiencing mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization, IDPH said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting additional testing to confirm whether the Illinois resident tested positive for hantavirus. State officials said confirmatory testing could take up to 10 days.
According to the IDPH, the suspected case involves a North American strain of hantavirus, which is most commonly linked to exposure to infected rodent droppings and is not spread from person to person.
That differs from the Andes strain associated with the MV Hondius outbreak, which health officials say can spread between people...
Illinois investigating potential hantavirus case in Winnebago County
May 12, 2026 at 7:43 pm CDT
Illinois health officials are investigating a potential case of hantavirus in a Winnebago County resident who is believed to have been exposed while cleaning a home containing rodent droppings, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
IDPH officials said Tuesday the case is not connected to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship hantavirus outbreak that involved the Andes strain of the virus in South America.
The resident has not traveled internationally, did not have contact with anyone connected to the cruise outbreak, and is recovering after experiencing mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization, IDPH said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting additional testing to confirm whether the Illinois resident tested positive for hantavirus. State officials said confirmatory testing could take up to 10 days.
According to the IDPH, the suspected case involves a North American strain of hantavirus, which is most commonly linked to exposure to infected rodent droppings and is not spread from person to person.
That differs from the Andes strain associated with the MV Hondius outbreak, which health officials say can spread between people...