What You Need to Know About the Recent Monkeypox Case at Howard Brown Health
In late July 2021, Howard Brown Health (HBH) reported a case of monkeypox in a resident of Cook County, Illinois. Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that causes symptoms similar to but milder than smallpox. Here is what you need to know about the recent case at HBH.
Understanding Monkeypox
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. The virus primarily occurs in Central and West Africa, where it is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, usually monkeys or rodents. Person-to-person transmission is rare but occurs through close contact with the bodily fluids of infected people. Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash then develops, often beginning on the face then spreading to the trunk and limbs.
The HBH Case
According to the HBH statement, the monkeypox patient was most likely infected during a recent trip to Nigeria, where a monkeypox outbreak is ongoing. The patient was admitted to a hospital with a rash and was later transferred to HBH’s Chicago facility, where testing confirmed the diagnosis. The statement further noted that the patient was isolated and was receiving treatment with anti-viral medication. HBH also initiated contact tracing to identify people who may have been in close contact with the patient.
Public Health Response
Upon confirming the diagnosis, HBH notified the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and followed their recommendations to ensure the safety of both patients and staff. The IDPH conducted a risk assessment and worked with HBH to monitor the situation closely and prevent the spread of the disease. The case was treated as an isolated incident, and there was no evidence of further monkeypox transmission.
Prevention and Control
As monkeypox is primarily an animal disease, the best preventive measures include avoiding contact with animals that could carry the virus and ensuring that animal trade is regulated and monitored. If you are traveling to areas where monkeypox is endemic, you should avoid contact with animals, especially monkeys and rodents. Additionally, practicing good hand hygiene, covering skin cuts and abrasions to avoid contact with infected fluids, and getting vaccinated against smallpox (which offers partial protection against monkeypox) can help prevent infection.
Conclusion
Monkeypox remains a rare disease, but it is essential to be aware of the risks, especially if traveling to regions where it is endemic. In the case of HBH, prompt diagnosis, isolation, and contact tracing prevented further transmission of the disease. By following preventive measures and promptly reporting suspected cases, it is possible to prevent and control outbreaks of monkeypox and other infectious diseases.
