CDPH Weekly Media Brief, 05/14/2026

Jump Ahead

• Hantavirus Information
• CARE Program Expansion
• Maternal Mental Health Awareness
• Healthy Chicago Podcast

Hantavirus Information for Chicagoans

CDPH is monitoring the recent cruise ship outbreak of Andes strain hantavirus, along with our local and national partners. None of the passengers from the cruise ship outbreak will be returning to Illinois, and the risk to Chicagoans remains very low. The Andes strain of hantavirus is the only strain known to transmit from person-to-person, and the rodents known to carry the Andes strain do not live in the United States. The state of Illinois has reported 7 cases of hantavirus since 1993; none were the Andes strain, and none were in a Chicago resident.

In the U.S., hantavirus generally spreads from the droppings of the deer mouse. The best way to avoid hantavirus is to avoid contact with rodent urine, droppings, saliva, and nesting materials. If you have mice or rats in your home, clean up after them safely using gloves and disinfectant. CDPH continually monitors for 70+ different infectious diseases, including hantavirus, and coordinates with state, local, and national public health partners to prepare for emerging infectious diseases - visit the CDPH website to learn more.

CARE Program Citywide Expansion

This week, Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program was expanded to citywide coverage. The CARE program supports individuals experiencing mental health crises through teams of behavioral health professionals, with resources to address their unmet health and social needs.

When the CARE team responds to an individual in crisis they offer de-escalation, mental health assessment, referrals to community services, and transport to community-based destinations as appropriate. Those experiencing mental health crises can call 9-1-1 and ask for the CARE team.

Mental Health Awareness Month

This Mental Health Awareness Month, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reaffirming its commitment to connecting Chicagoans to compassionate, community-based mental health support. Through programs like Healing Arts Chicago, monthly QPR and suicide prevention trainings, and the Healthy Chicago Mental Health Collective (HC-MHC), CDPH is expanding access to care for people experiencing emotional distress and trauma.

Residents can access therapy, medication management and other outpatient mental health care through HC-MHC, a network of community providers and seven CDPH Mental Health Centers. CDPH is also launching a new mobile street psychiatry pilot that will bring psychiatric care directly to residents in shelters, encampments and on the CTA.

Services are available regardless of income, immigration status or insurance coverage. Learn more at chicago.gov/mentalhealthclinics.

Healthy Chicago Podcast

About once a week in Cook County, an infant dies during sleep. Sleep-related deaths are the leading cause of death for babies 1 month to 1 year old, and almost always linked to unsafe sleep environments.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Gina Lowell, Director of Community Health for Pediatrics at Rush University Children's Hospital, and Dr. Kyran Quinlan, Pediatric Medical Advisor at the Illinois Department of Public Health. Over the past five years, they've documented these tragedies, explored the circumstances, and asked the tough question: why does this keep happening?

Watch or listen on the platform of your choice!

Safe sleep education, home visiting programs, and community resources are available across Chicago and Cook County to support families and caregivers. For more information, visit chicago.gov/onechifam/safesleep.

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