First Probable Monkeypox Case Identified In McHenry Co.

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Health officials have identified a single probable case of monkeypox in McHenry County. Confirmatory testing is pending, and the person is isolating and working with the McHenry County Department of Health as they investigate the case.

Those who came in contact with the person are being monitored for 21 days and have been offered post-exposure vaccinations, according to a news release from the health department.

Health officials say the risk of contracting monkeypox is low to residents of McHenry County.

Monkeypox can be transmitted to anyone through direct contact with body fluids and monkeypox rash, by touching items that have been contaminated with body fluids or rash, including clothing, bedding and towels, and through respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.

Monkeypox is contagious and can spread to others until scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed.

“Monkeypox is not a new virus, but it is not common in the United States,” said Susan Karras, director of public health nursing for the McHenry County Department of Health. “The risk is low, but anyone can become infected with monkeypox regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation. Early identification, treatment, and post exposure vaccination of close contacts will help in reducing further spread.”

Healthcare providers are urged to be alert for patients who have rash illnesses consistent with monkeypox, regardless of whether they have travel or specific risk factors for monkeypox.

Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their healthcare provider, even if they do not think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox.

Any people with the following symptoms should seek medical attention:

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

The best way to protect against monkeypox is to be proactive and follow these tips:

• Consider covering exposed skin in dense, indoor crowds
• Don't share bedding or clothing with others when possible
• Before having close, physical contact with others, talk to your partners about their health and any recent rashes or sores
• Stay aware if traveling to countries where there are outbreaks
• Practice good hand hygiene
• Stay home when feeling ill and have a rash that is consistent with monkeypox
• Contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible for an evaluation
• Avoid skin-to-skin, or close contact with others, including sexual contact, until a medical evaluation has been completed
• Inform sex partners about any symptoms you are experiencing
• Cover the rash with clean, dry, loose-fitting clothing
• Wear a well-fitted mask

More information regarding monkeypox can be found online.