90-Second Read: Hantavirus risk in Illinois is ‘very low,’ state health officials say

CHICAGO, As Americans on a ship stricken with a Hantavirus outbreak return home, the threat of the virus to Illinois communities is "very low," according to the state's public health agency. But the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said on Monday that it had not been notified that any Illinois residents were passengers on that ship during the outbreak. Officials detailed the following passengers: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can cause the lungs to fill with fluid, usually presents between one and eight weeks after exposure to an infected rodent.

As Americans on the ship that saw a Hantavirus outbreak return home, the risk locally remains low, according to the IDPH. American passengers from the Hantavirus outbreak cruise ship are quarantining in Nebraska. Of the group of 18 American passengers on the ship, one has tested positive for Hantavirus, and another has shown mild symptoms.

The other syndrome caused by Hantavirus, known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, which can cause bleeding, high fever, and kidney failure, usually develops within a week or two after exposure. The information in this story was provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and previous Fox reporting. The Andes strain, which is confirmed in this outbreak, shows symptoms within six weeks, WHO officials said.