Community Level Risk:
MPV does not spread easily between people without close contact. At this time, the risk to DeKalb County residents remains low.
How MPV (Monkeypox) Spreads:
MPV spreads in different ways including:
- Direct contact with MPV rash, sores, scabs, or body fluids
- Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously used by someone with MPV
- Respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex
- From infected animals, either by being scratched or bitten by the animal or by preparing or eating meat or using products from an infected animal.
MPV can be spread from when symptoms start until all sores have healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. This can take several weeks.
The majority of cases seen throughout Illinois and the United States have been spread through direct intimate contact with a rash or sore on someone infected with MPV. Activities that can spread MPV include kissing, sex, or other activities with skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the MPV virus.
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash or sores, sometimes located on or near the genitals or anus, or the mouth, hands, feet, chest or face. Sores will go through several stages before healing.
What The Public Can Do:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone with MPV
- Don’t share bedding, clothing, towels, personal items, or with someone with MPV
- Do not have sex if you or you sex partner(s) feel sick or have a rash or sores and do not kiss or touch each other’s bodies while you are sick.
- Call your healthcare provider if you have new or unexplained rash, sores, or other MPV symptoms.
Vaccine Information:
- There is a vaccine for MPV that the CDC currently recommends for people who have been exposed to MPV and people who may be more likely to get MPV.
- Vaccine is currently being given to areas with known MPV
Early Detection and Prevention
If you have a new or unexplained rash, sores or other symptoms:
- See your health care provider – if you don’t have a provider or health insurance, call and schedule an appointment at a public health clinic near you.
- Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until you have been checked out.
- Avoid gatherings, especially if they involve close, personal, skin-to-skin contact.
If you or your partner have MPV:
- Follow the treatment and prevention recommendations of your health care provider.
- Avoid sex or being intimate with anyone until all your sores have healed and you have a fresh layer of skin formed.
Anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has MPV is at risk.
