Hantaviruses are a group of viruses found in wild rodents that can be spread to humans causing illness. The severity of the disease varies depending on the virus causing the infection.
The Winnebago County Health Department is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health on a potential case of Hantavirus in a Winnebago County resident. This potential case is not related to the cruise ship outbreak. Hantaviruses are mainly spread from rodents to people through rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. The potential case had direct contact with rodent droppings while cleaning and had symptoms consistent with an exposure to Hantavirus. The suspected strain is not spread person to person. There is no risk to the community from this potential case and the resident is recovering.
While hantavirus infection is rare, exposure to field mice and their droppings is common especially in communities similar to ours, you can take steps to reduce the risk of exposure to hantavirus while cleaning up after rodents.
Click here for the IDPH Update on Hantavirus.
