SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois state Public Health officials have released details about the states first “probable” case of monkeypox, an illness that has baffled some scientists for its rather unexpected and unprecedented spread out of the African continent.
Monkeypox is reportedly a very difficult disease to spread between humans and usually requires sustained close skin-to-skin contact in order to contract.
However, the disease can be severe and even deadly in certain patients. It causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to a rash.
Illinois officials say the confirmed case in Illinois is a man from Chicago, who recently traveled to Europe, a continent which is also seeing outbreaks of the rare disease.
Close to two dozen cases of Monkeypox have been confirmed across the United States.
It’s been since 2003 that Illinois has seen a confirmed case of the illness.
“If someone thinks they’ve been exposed to monkeypox or if they have symptoms of monkeypox after an exposure, they should call their healthcare provider and their local health department right away,” said state public health veterinarian Dr. Connie Austin.
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