Second probable case of monkeypox reported in Illinois

CHICAGO - The second probable case of monkeypox has been reported in Illinois, according to local health officials.

On Friday, officials said a second person from Chicago tested positive for the virus at an Illinois Department of Public Health lab. The positive diagnosis is pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Thursday, a Chicago man who recently traveled to Europe was the first to test positive for monkeypox in Illinois. Contact tracing is being done to determine who may have been in contact with the man while he was infectious, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

An Illinois official confirms that the seconds probable case had contact with the first probable case.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FOX 32 YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Chicago man in the first case did not require hospitalization and is isolating at home in good condition, officials said. The CDC is working to confirm his diagnosis.

Monkeypox is caused by a virus that is in the same genus of viruses that causes smallpox, according to the CDC. However, the symptoms are milder.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and a noticeable rash.

People usually recover within two to four weeks without needing to be hospitalized, but the disease is occasionally deadly.

"The risk to the general public remains low," IDPH said in a tweet.

Anyone can get monkeypox, but a number of cases involve gay and bisexual men, according to the CDC.

Dr. Anew Hazra of Howard Brown Health has been following the outbreak.

"It’s really important for us to approach this in a non-stigma way and realize the virus is out there," he said.

From exposure to the onset of sickness can occur within one to two weeks.

CDC officials say anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider immediately.

Per the CDC, 20 cases are confirmed in the US in 11 states — and more than 550 cases are in 30 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

So far, no deaths have been reported.

"Knowledge empowers people. We wanted to make people aware what’s really going on," Hazra said.

Monkeypox is ordinarily found in countries in West and Central Africa with tropical rainforests.

The monkeypox virus was first discovered in colonies of lab monkeys in 1958.

Associated Press contributed to this report.