Health officials in Illinois are investigating a possible hantavirus infection in a Winnebago County resident, and early signs point close to home. State public health authorities confirmed Tuesday that the person had not traveled internationally and had no contact with passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship. Instead, investigators are looking at rodent exposure inside a residence as the likely source. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says it is working with the Winnebago County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while confirmatory lab tests are underway.
State: Case Not Linked To Hondius
In a statement to CBS Chicago, IDPH stressed that the patient had not recently left the country and had not been in contact with anyone from the MV Hondius. Investigators believe the infection was picked up in a home where rodent droppings were present. Early findings indicate the virus involved is a North American hantavirus strain that is not known to spread from person to person, a key distinction that public health officials are eager to underline.
How This Differs From The Cruise-Ship Cluster
The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius has been linked to the Andes strain of hantavirus, which the WHO says can rarely transmit between people after close and prolonged contact. WHO has taken the lead on sequencing the virus and coordinating international contact tracing related to the ship cluster. U.S. agencies have repatriated affected passengers and monitored them at specialized sites, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What Residents Should Know And Do
Hantaviruses typically spread to people through exposure to rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials, especially when those materials are disturbed. The CDC notes that early symptoms can look a lot like the flu before progressing to serious respiratory problems.
The CDC recommends that people:
- Air out closed spaces for at least 30 minutes before cleaning.
- Wet down areas contaminated with rodent droppings or nests with disinfectant instead of sweeping or vacuuming.
- Use gloves and an N95 respirator when dealing with heavy rodent infestations.
Anyone who develops fever, severe muscle aches or shortness of breath after possible rodent exposure should seek medical care and tell their healthcare provider about that exposure.
Next Steps In Winnebago County
IDPH told CBS Chicago that confirmatory testing is being performed by the CDC and that results could take up to 10 days. The agency says the overall risk to Illinois residents remains very low while local and federal teams complete their investigation and follow-up at the household level. Residents who have questions or need guidance can contact the Winnebago County Health Department.
