Cases of monkeypox are continuing to be identified across the United States, including in Illinois, suburban Cook County and the City of Chicago.

The current outbreak seems to primarily be impacting, but is not limited to, men who have sex with men. Monkeypox is spread person-to-person through close physical contact, often skin-to-skin contact.

Symptoms of monkeypox include:

• Fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches
• A rash that typically begins within one to three days after fever begins
• Lesions can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and can then crust, dry up and fall off
• The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousand. The rash typically starts on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet but in the recent cases some have lesions only on the genital and rectal area
• Symptoms typically last between 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment

Cook County Health is offering monkeypox screenings and vaccinations by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 312-572-4500 and press 0.

For more on monkeypox, please see the latest information from the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health.