Illinois resident recovering as health officials investigate hantavirus case

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating a potential case of hantavirus in a Winnebago County resident that officials said is not connected to the recent MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.

According to IDPH, the resident is believed to have contracted a North American strain of hantavirus while cleaning a home where rodent droppings were present. Health officials said the strain suspected in the Illinois case is not spread from person to person.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting additional testing to confirm the case, a process that could take up to 10 days. Officials said commercial antibody tests alone are not considered definitive.

IDPH said the resident has not traveled internationally, has no connection to passengers from the MV Hondius outbreak and is recovering after experiencing mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization.

Health officials emphasized the risk of contracting hantavirus remains very low for Illinois residents.

According to IDPH, Illinois has recorded seven confirmed hantavirus cases since 1993, excluding the current potential case under investigation. The most recent confirmed case before this investigation occurred in March 2025.

The agency said it is coordinating with the Winnebago County Health Department and the CDC as the investigation continues.