Illinois man tests positive for MERS virus

An Illinois resident has tested positive for MERS, according to the Centers for Disease Control. He is a business associate of the Indiana patient, who became sick after traveling from Saudi Arabia to the U.S. That man was successfully treatedat Community Hospital in Munster, Ind., and released.

According to the CDC, the Illinois resident did not require medical care, and local health officials have monitored his health daily since May 3 as part of their overall MERS investigation. At this time, he is reported to be feeling well. Efforts are currently underway to identify, notify, test and monitor contacts of the Illinois patient.

The CDC has not changed their recommendations to the general public to prevent the spread of MERS by washing hands often, avoiding contact with people who appear sick, avoiding touching their faces with unwashed hands, and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces.