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US Probing Possible Hantavirus Case In Illinois Not Linked To Cruise Ship Outbreak

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Amid the scare of <span>hantavirus infection</span>, US health officials informed that they are investigating a potential case in an Illinois resident. 

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) noted that the incident is not linked to the <span>MV Hondius</span> cruise ship outbreak.

MV Hondius had 18 American nationals, and all have been medically evacuated back to the US. While 16 people are in Nebraska at the nation's only national quarantine unit, two people are being monitored in Atlanta.

In a statement, the IDPH said that the person “lives in Winnebago County, has not travelled internationally, and has not come in contact with individuals associated with the MV Hondius outbreak”.  

Officials suspect that the possible <span>hantavirus</span> infection in the Illinois person to be a case of the North American strain of the virus while cleaning a home where rodent droppings were present. 

“Unlike the <span>Andes strain of Hantavirus</span> responsible for the cruise outbreak, the North American strains are not known to spread from person to person. The risk of contracting Hantavirus of any kind remains very low for Illinois residents,” the officials said. 

However, they added that the CDC is conducting additional testing to confirm that the resident is positive for Hantavirus. CDC staff told IDPH its confirmatory test result could take up to 10 days to complete. 

Excluding this latest potential case, Illinois has had 7 positive cases of Hantavirus since 1993, most recently in March 2025. 

Since surveillance began in 1993, the US has recorded 890 cases of Hantavirus over 30 years (1993-2023) 

Hantavirus Alert: Expert Explains How It May Affect Your Body #hantavirus

The Hantavirus strain most commonly seen in the US is caused by exposure to rodent droppings and is NOT contagious from person to person. 

The rodent species (long-tailed pygmy rice rat) known to carry the Andes strain of the virus in South America does not live in the U.S. 

<h2>First Case Of Hantavirus Diagnosed In Israel</h2>

 <strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/donald-trump-says-hantavirus-is-under-control-questions-grow-over-cdc-research-cuts-article-154273752" data-type="tilCustomLink">Donald Trump Says Hantavirus Is 'Under Control'; Questions Grow Over CDC Research Cuts</a>

Earlier, a case of hantavirus was also reported from Israel, that was not linked to the MV Hondius ship.

The case in Israel, reported by the local newspaper Maariv, is believed to have been infected during a stay in Eastern Europe several months ago. It is reportedly not linked to the ongoing outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. 

The patient underwent an antibody test after the symptoms appeared, which showed exposure to hantavirus, the report said. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was then conducted to detect the virus’s genetic material, confirming the infection, the report said. 

The patient was said to be in stable condition, not in need of intensive care or strict isolation, and was being kept under medical observation. 

Details about the patient and the medical center where the diagnosis was made could not yet be published, but have been reported to the country's Health Ministry. 

<h2>Will Hantavirus Become A Public Health Threat? </h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/fact-check-can-ivermectin-help-treat-hantavirus-article-154297881" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?</a>

Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva, though rare cases of person-to-person transmission have also been reported. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/hantavirus-cases-climb-to-11-who-warns-countries-of-further-spread-article-154303418" data-type="tilCustomLink">11 cases</a> — including three deaths — have been confirmed so far. However, additional suspected and confirmed cases are continuing to emerge across countries. 

“At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Chief, in the latest media briefing. 

However, he said that the situation could still change. 

“Given the long incubation period of the virus, we might see more cases in the coming weeks,” he said.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Hantavirus Case In Illinois

hantavirus infection

Andes strain of Hantavirus

Hantavirus In Israel

MV Hondius

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Amid the scare of hantavirus infection, US health officials informed that they are investigating a potential case in an Illinois resident.  The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) noted that the incident is not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.MV Hondius had 18 American nationals, and all have been medically evacuated back to the US. While 16 people are in Nebraska at the nation's only national quarantine unit, two people are being monitored in Atlanta.In a statement, the IDPH said that the person “lives in Winnebago County, has not travelled internationally, and has not come in contact with individuals associated with the MV Hondius outbreak”.  Officials suspect that the possible hantavirus infection in the Illinois person to be a case of the North American strain of the virus while cleaning a home where rodent droppings were present.  “Unlike the Andes strain of Hantavirus responsible for the cruise outbreak, the North American strains are not known to spread from person to person. The risk of contracting Hantavirus of any kind remains very low for Illinois residents,” the officials said.  Hantavirus thread incoming ⚠️But you have to promise to read this whole thread before panic-texting your group chat. Deal?Here&#39;s what Illinois residents should know. 🧵&mdash; IDPH | Illinois Department of Public Health (@IDPH) May 12, 2026 ]]>However, they added that the CDC is conducting additional testing to confirm that the resident is positive for Hantavirus. CDC staff told IDPH its confirmatory test result could take up to 10 days to complete.  Hantavirus Cases In The US Excluding this latest potential case, Illinois has had 7 positive cases of Hantavirus since 1993, most recently in March 2025. Since surveillance began in 1993, the US has recorded 890 cases of Hantavirus over 30 years (1993-2023)    The Hantavirus strain most commonly seen in the US is caused by exposure to rodent droppings and is NOT contagious from person to person. The rodent species (long-tailed pygmy rice rat) known to carry the Andes strain of the virus in South America does not live in the U.S.  First Case Of Hantavirus Diagnosed In Israel Also read: Donald Trump Says Hantavirus Is 'Under Control'; Questions Grow Over CDC Research CutsEarlier, a case of hantavirus was also reported from Israel, that was not linked to the MV Hondius ship.The case in Israel, reported by the local newspaper Maariv, is believed to have been infected during a stay in Eastern Europe several months ago. It is reportedly not linked to the ongoing outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.  The patient underwent an antibody test after the symptoms appeared, which showed exposure to hantavirus, the report said. A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test was then conducted to detect the virus’s genetic material, confirming the infection, the report said.  The patient was said to be in stable condition, not in need of intensive care or strict isolation, and was being kept under medical observation.  Details about the patient and the medical center where the diagnosis was made could not yet be published, but have been reported to the country's Health Ministry.  Will Hantavirus Become A Public Health Threat? Also read: Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or exposure to their urine, droppings, and saliva, though rare cases of person-to-person transmission have also been reported.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 cases — including three deaths — have been confirmed so far. However, additional suspected and confirmed cases are continuing to emerge across countries. “At the moment, there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Chief, in the latest media briefing. However, he said that the situation could still change. “Given the long incubation period of the virus, we might see more cases in the coming weeks,” he said.