CDPH Investigates Monkeypox Infections, Asks the Public to Take Precautions this Summer

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Health

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to investigate reports of monkeypox cases in Chicago residents and is asking people to take proper precautions when in spaces or situations where monkeypox could be spread through close or intimate contact. As of June 12, 2022, Chicago has identified seven confirmed cases of monkeypox, and CDPH continues to work closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and other local public health departments to identify other potential cases. Some of the current cases involve individuals who recently traveled to Europe. One Chicago resident reported attending the International Mr. Leather (IML) conference in Chicago from May 26-30. Additionally, residents from another state who were diagnosed with monkeypox also reported attending the IML conference. CDPH sent communication to public health departments around the country about its ongoing investigation to request notification of any additional cases who visited Chicago from May 26-30. In the United States, 49 confirmed cases have been reported in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Most of the infected individuals have reported only mild symptoms, and none have died. Suspected cases may present with flu-like symptoms early on and progress to lesions that may begin on one part of the body and spread to other areas. Illness could be clinically confused with sexually transmitted infections like syphilis or herpes, or with the varicella zoster virus. For more about the monkeypox virus, visit https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/ and https://chi.gov/monkeypox.

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