First Confirmed Case of Monkeypox (MPV) in DeKalb County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The DeKalb County Health Department (DCHD) is announcing the first confirmed case of MPV (monkeypox) in DeKalb County. The individual is isolating, receiving necessary care, and recovering. The potential contacts of this case have been notified. The risk to DeKalb County residents remains low.

MPV does not spread easily between people. 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. It can also spread through clothing, bedding/linens, or other materials used by a person infected with MPV, or through respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact. 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. While most cases of MPV are self-limited lasting 2 to 4 weeks, severe cases can occur.

Preventing MPV

• 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.

For more information, go to:

• https://health.dekalbcounty.org/about/monkeypox-mpv/
• https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/monkeypox.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/outbreak/us-outbreaks.html

If you have personal medical questions, please contact your healthcare provider. Community members and agencies can also sign up for the online DCHD newsletter.