The declaration is statewide and will allow the Illinois Department of Public Health to coordinate logistics to help with vaccine distribution and treatment and prevention efforts. The statement will also help coordinate the state response with the federal government.
“MPV is a rare, but potentially serious disease that requires the full mobilization of all available public health resources to prevent its spread,” Governor Pritzker said in a press release. “That’s why I’m declaring a state of emergency to ensure smooth coordination between government agencies and all levels of government, thereby increasing our ability to prevent and respond quickly to the disease. We’ve seen this virus disproportionately affect the LGBTQ+ community in its initial spread. Here in Illinois we will ensure that our LGBTQ+ community has the resources they need to stay safe while ensuring that members are not stigmatized as they access critical health care.”
pic.twitter.com/C4lNHWZG4r — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 1, 2022 The proclamation takes effect immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days. The World Health Organization declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern on 23 July.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Alison Aruadi, issued a statement validating the state’s public health emergency declaration and saying an additional declaration for the city is not necessary: “This emergency declaration brings a much-needed, heightened focus to the monkeypox (MPV) outbreak we are seeing here in Chicago, across our state and across the country. Since the beginning of this outbreak, the Department of Public Health Chicago is working diligently with clinical and community partners to educate and vaccinate at-risk residents and will continue to do so.Ultimately, however, we need more support at the federal level to fully address the threat MPV poses to the city We hope this statement joins a chorus of others across the country and encourages the rapid scale-up and distribution of vaccines. This statement will allow the state to use its emergency procurement powers and directly involve other state agencies, such as the Administration Illinois Emergency Management (IEMA), statewide response Chicago does not need a separate declaration of emergency as we cover the state, and in addition, we already have a local emergency y supply process; a strong local distribution network; and a diverse group of clinical and community partners working to raise awareness and vaccinate Chicagoans who are experiencing increased danger”. Monkeypox: What we know so far
As of Monday, a total of 520 cases of smallpox have been reported in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Health. This total includes all possible and confirmed cases.
The city of Chicago reported a total of 330 cases as of July 28.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said monkeypox can be spread through close, personal and often skin-to-skin contact. Officials have noted that the virus spreads primarily among men with same-sex partners.
According to the CDC, symptoms include breathing problems, fever, headache, rash. A full list of symptoms can be found here.
CDC officials said symptoms usually begin “within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus.” The illness usually lasts two to four weeks.
As CBS 2 reported, patients have described painful sores all over their bodies, along with fevers, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph nodes.
Cases of monkeypox often resolve after a few weeks without additional treatment. Some reported incidents were more serious and resulted in hospitalization.