The first probable case of monkeypox has been detected in DuPage County, health officials said Friday, making it the third reported in Illinois.
The case was found in a man who had traveled internationally last month to a country that has also recently reported monkeypox infections, DuPage County Health said.
Initial testing was completed with the Illinois Department of Public Health and confirmatory testing is now being conducted at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Based on the initial epidemiological features and the positive result of orthopoxvirus in the IDPH, health officials consider this to be a probable infection by the smallpox of the monkey,” DCHD said in a statement.
Health officials said the case remains isolated and there is no indication of an increased risk of spreading “as the monkey’s smallpox does not spread as easily as the COVID-19 virus.”
The latest case comes amid a flurry of reported cases in the United States and several other countries, health officials said Thursday.
Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral disease that often begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes, and progresses to a rash on the face and body, health experts said. It was first observed in Africa in 1970, and is usually found in the central and western parts of the continent.
The CDC is on alert after cases of the virus have been reported in several countries that do not normally report cases of smallpox, including the United States.
On Friday, the CDC reported 49 confirmed cases in several states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. .
“Overall, in a normal year, we will see some animal-related cases, especially in West Africa,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, a commissioner with the Chicago Department of Public Health. “There are animals that can carry it and we’ll see, you know, a few dozen cases that people can get infected just by being in contact with the animals. The reason they’ve been paying more attention is that there are there have been 100 cases that have been identified that are not connected to the typical way we see smallpox. “
The virus comes from the same family as smallpox, and the World Health Organization has also urged people to be vigilant after nearly 200 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported in at least 12 Western countries. According to officials, most of these cases have occurred in Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
“What makes this a little different is the number of cases and the countries that are affected by it,” said Dr. Irfan Hafiz of McHenry and Huntley Hospitals at Northwestern Medicine.
The CDC said “cases include people who identify as men who have had sex with men,” but stressed that anyone can get the disease through prolonged contact.
We already have approved vaccines and treatments for monkeypox
Hafiz, a specialist in infectious diseases, said the virus causes symptoms similar to various diseases, such as chickenpox or smallpox.
“To the uninitiated, it may look like chickenpox or warts,” he said. “But these (sores) are usually in exposed areas.”
Health experts also said that the disease can be confused with a sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis or herpes, or with the shingles virus.
U.S. health officials are urging U.S. physicians to “consider a diagnosis of monkeypox in people with a constant rash, especially if they meet any of the following criteria:
- He had contact with someone who had a rash that resembled the smallpox of the monkey or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable smallpox.
- He had skin-to-skin contact with someone on a social network who was experiencing monkeypox activity; this includes men who have sex with men who are dating through an online website, a digital app (app), or a social event (e.g., a bar or party).
- Has traveled outside the United States to a country with confirmed cases of smallpox or where smallpox activity has been ongoing
- He has been in contact with a dead or living wild animal or an exotic pet that only exists in Africa or has used a product derived from these animals (e.g. game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.).
The virus is rarely lethal, with symptoms ranging from fever, pain and rashes all over the body.
“Suspicious cases can show early flu-like symptoms and progress to injuries that can start in one part of the body and spread to other parts,” the Chicago Department of Public Health said.
CDPH said person-to-person transmission is possible through “close physical contact with monkeypox ulcers, items that have been contaminated with liquids or sores (clothing, bedding, etc.) or through respiratory drops. after prolonged face-to-face contact. “
“It’s not just your casual handshake,” Hafiz said. “(Contact should be) longer, more pronounced. Technically it’s not a sexually transmitted disease, but it involves close contact.”
“It takes a long time (contact), not minutes,” added Dr. Kavita Patel, NBC News’ medical contributor. “(May also involve) body fluids or injuries”.
Infections usually last two to four weeks, CDPH said.
Health officials said anyone who has “a new or unexplained rash, sores or symptoms, or has a confirmed exposure” should visit their healthcare provider and “avoid sex or have intimacy with someone until have been viewed “.