Skip to main content
About IDPH

IDPH Update on Hantavirus

News – Tuesday, May 12, 2026

UPDATE (May 18, 2026):

IDPH had been investigating a potential Hantavirus case in an Illinois resident not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. Confirmatory testing conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not detect Hantavirus.  The resident is no longer considered a potential case of Hantavirus and no further public health action is needed.  

 

The risk of getting Hantavirus remains very low for Illinois residents. The best way to protect yourself from Hantavirus and other rodent-borne diseases is by keeping rodents out of your home and cleaning up after them safely.

Important Takeaways (May 12,2026):

  • IDPH is investigating a potential Hantavirus case in an Illinois resident not linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak. The CDC is conducting additional testing to confirm the resident is positive for Hantavirus. CDC staff told IDPH its confirmatory test result could take up to 10 days to complete.  
  • It is believed the individual acquired the virus while cleaning a home where rodent droppings were present. 
  • The North American strain of the Hantavirus, which the individual is believed to have potentially acquired, is not spread from person to person. This is different from the Andes strain associated with the MV Hondius. 
  • The risk of contracting Hantavirus of any kind remains very low for Illinois residents. 

Statement from the Illinois Department of PublicHealth (IDPH) -- May 12, 2026: 

“IDPH is investigating a potential Hantavirus case in an Illinois resident not connected to the recent outbreak pertaining to the MV Hondius cruise ship.  The resident lives in Winnebago County, has not travelled internationally, and has not come in contact with individuals associated with the MV Hondius outbreak.  They are suspected to have acquired a 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.” 

Additional information: 

  • The Illinois resident associated with the potential Hantavirus case has not traveled internationally and is not connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak.  
  • The resident is not seriously ill and is recovering after experiencing mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization. 
  • IDPH is working with the CDC on additional testing to confirm the resident is positive for Hantavirus. That process can take up to 10 days, according to the CDC.  
  • Commercial lab serology (or antibody) tests, which the individual received, are not considered definitive and therefore require confirmation by a more sensitive test done at CDC.  
  • IDPH is coordinating closely with the local health departments including the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD), and the CDC.  
  • 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 U.S. recorded 890 cases of Hantavirus over 30 years (1993-2023)  
  • The Hantavirus strain most commonly seen in the U.S. 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. 

FOR REFERENCE –  

Statement from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Regarding MV Hondius Hantavirus Cases and Preparedness -- May 11, 2026:
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has not been notified of any Illinois residents being passengers on the MV Hondius during the Hantavirus outbreak. IDPH will proactively update the public should there be any changes. While the risk to Illinois communities is currently very low, IDPH is coordinating closely with health care providers, local public health departments, and emergency management partners. IDPH will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide timely information to the public should there be any notable updates.” 

  

Background

  • IDPH encourages Illinoisans to seek verified information from public health entities and be mindful of misinformation on social media.    
  • The CDC contacted states who had residents aboard the cruise ship connected to the hantavirus outbreak. Illinois has not received communication from the CDC.   
  • To prepare for future emergencies, in recent years IDPH has:   
  • Made a $1.5 million investment to upgrade two state hospitals to serve as Elite Special Pathogen Treatment Centers for high-consequence pathogens.  
  • Made a $45 million investment in major upgrades to modernize public health data systems.  
  • Devoted significant workforce resources to developing preparedness plans and training staff and partners on the execution of those plans.  
  • Acquired its own intelligence service for global threats known as BlueDot  
  • Increased its internal lab capabilities to detect several Global Fever pathogens   
  • Established a group of global health leaders in IL through the Global Health Advisory Coalition.