Illinois Probes 1 Possible Hantavirus Case in Winnebago County as CDC Testing May Take 10 Days
Updated
Updated · FOX 32 Chicago · May 12
Illinois Probes 1 Possible Hantavirus Case in Winnebago County as CDC Testing May Take 10 Days
13 articles · Updated · FOX 32 Chicago · May 12
Winnebago County health officials are investigating a possible hantavirus infection in a resident who is recovering after mild symptoms and did not need hospitalization.
CDC confirmation could take up to 10 days; Illinois said the suspected exposure came while cleaning a home with rodent droppings, pointing to a North American strain.
That strain is not known to spread person-to-person, and officials said the case is unrelated to the recent cruise ship outbreak tied to the Andes strain.
Illinois has recorded just 7 positive hantavirus cases since 1993, while the U.S. logged 890 cases from 1993 to 2023; the state's most recent case was in March 2025.
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