Emergency Notice - Hantavirus Testing

The Illinois Department of Public Health is executing emergency procurement of specialized Hantavirus laboratory testing, genomic sequencing, assay validation, and scientific support services under an emergency purchase statement signed May 21, 2026, with an estimated total cost of $99,361.34 and a performance period extending through August 23, 2026. This is a sole-source emergency procurement; no competitive solicitation is occurring.

The outbreak trigger is an Andes strain Hantavirus case linked to an international cruise ship on May 2, 2026, with confirmed infections and deaths among passengers, including individuals potentially connected to Illinois who returned to the United States on May 10. The Illinois Department of Public Health determined it lacks in-state Hantavirus testing capability, and existing CDC and commercial testing pathways resulted in unacceptable delays in specimen transport and turnaround times that would negatively impact patient care decisions and outbreak response coordination.

Rush University Medical Center is the sole vendor, selected based on possession of necessary laboratory infrastructure, specialized expertise, whole genome sequencing capability, and prior experience operationalizing emerging infectious disease testing during COVID-19 response and antimicrobial resistance testing activities. Alternative laboratories either lacked clinical Hantavirus testing capability or could not meet the urgent implementation timeline.

Scope includes molecular testing (Sin Nombre Duplex qPCR and Pan Hantavirus PCR with sequence confirmation), serologic testing (IgM and IgG), whole genome sequencing, laboratory validation, scientific consultation, genomic epidemiology support, and specimen logistics coordination. Expected volume is approximately 50 clinical samples for qPCR testing, 20 samples for Pan Hantavirus PCR, 20 samples for whole genome sequencing, and 20 samples for serologic testing. Implementation is expected within one to two weeks of authorization. Work is performed at Rush University Medical Center's facilities. Funding is from state appropriated funds. If actual costs differ from the estimate, an Emergency Final Cost form will be submitted no later than the tenth day of the succeeding month.