The State Department of Public Health says an Illinois man infected with "MERS" is no longer contagious.
Director Dr. Lamar Hasbrouck says the man likely contracted the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) from the original case that popped up in the U.S. earlier this month...but has now tested negative for his ability to spread the virus. The man did not require medical care.
Hasbrouck says they are still determining just how contagious MERS is. But, he saysi t seems to be spread by close contact with an infected person.
The first case was a person flying into O'Hare Airport from Saudi Arabia...where the virus is more prevalent. It's killed about 30 percent of those infected.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has reactivated its MERS hotline for those who have questions. The number is 844-565-0256.
