Illinois health officials are investigating a possible hantavirus case unrelated to the cruise ship outbreak.
The patient from Winnebago County, near Rockford, likely contracted the virus while cleaning a home filled with rodent droppings. It’s believed to be the North American strain of hantavirus, which is not spread from person to person, like the Andes strain that struck the cruise ship MV Hondius.
"It's by inhaling it or ingesting it." Dr. Michael Angarone at Northwestern Medicine says anyone near rodent feces should take precautions.
"Wearing a mask and even just eye covering just since all that stuff is blowing around."
Listen to KMOX Health Editor Fred Bodimer's report here.
This possible Illinois cases is believed to be the North American strain of hantavirus, which is not spread from person to person, like the Andes strain that struck the cruise ship in the Atlantic.
This possible Illinois cases is believed to be the North American strain of hantavirus, which is not spread from person to person, like the Andes strain that struck the cruise ship in the Atlantic.
