First probable case of monkeypox reported in Lake County

Monkeypox moves into Lake County: First probable case reported

The first probable case of monkeypox has been announced in Lake County. Illinois has one of the highest monkeypox infection rates in the country, with close to 50 cases already confirmed.

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. - Lake County officials announced Wednesday they are investigating the area's first probable case of monkeypox.

The infected person is a Lake County resident. Initial testing was completed Monday while the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention is currently attempting to confirm the diagnosis.

Officials said the risk to county residents remains low. They are conducting contact tracing and identifying anyone that the individual may have had contact with while infectious.

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The first symptoms of monkeypox are usually flu-like. The symptoms can include:

Fever
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth, and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus

Most monkeypox infections last two to four weeks and resolve. Some cases, however, can be serious.

7 confirmed monkeypox cases in Chicago

The Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed Monday there are seven cases of monkeypox in the city, as health officials work to identify other potential cases.

"Individuals should be aware of how the virus spreads and the signs and symptoms of monkeypox in order to seek medical attention if they develop," said Dr. Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist at the Lake County Health Department. "While infection typically begins with flu-like symptoms, some individuals may get a rash first followed by other symptoms. Others will only experience a rash."

Lake County health officials said in a press release that monkeypox does not spread easily between people without close contact.

"Person to person transmission is possible through close physical contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.), or through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact," the news release reads.

For more information, visit the Lake County Health Department website.