While Chicago health officials maintain that the risk of contracting monkeypox remains “low,” the city’s Department of Public Health said it was advising the public to take precautions after five more cases were detected. the city.
In a press release Monday, CDPH confirmed that at least seven cases have been identified in Chicago, a significant increase from the two cases reported in previous weeks. Seven of the cases included individuals who recently traveled to Europe and the first two cases appeared to be related to each other, health officials said.
A Chicago resident was diagnosed with monkeypox after attending the international conference Mr. Leather, which took place May 26-30 in the city, and other cases related to the event have been reported.
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.
In a press release, CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allsion Arwady said that while the risk is “low,” the CDPH wants the public to make informed decisions about meeting in places where smallpox can spread. through close contact.
According to health officials, people attending festivals or other summer events should consider how close, personal and skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at the events they plan to attend. If someone feels sick or has a rash or sores, CDPH recommends not attending a meeting and visiting a health care provider as soon as possible.
A total of 33 countries have reported more than 1,450 confirmed cases, and in the U.S., 49 cases have been reported in 16 states, as well as in the District of Columbia. Most people have experienced mild symptoms and no one has died.
“Overall, in a normal year, we will see some animal-related cases, especially in West Africa,” Arwady said earlier. “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 is rarely lethal, with symptoms ranging from fever, pain and rashes all over the body.
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. “