SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a public health emergency declaration early Monday evening as monkeypox cases continue mounting there.
“I am declaring a state of emergency to expand the resources and coordination efforts of state agencies in responding to, treating, and preventing the spread of MPV,” Pritzker tweeted.
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) August 1, 2022
Illinois has the third-highest number of infections nationwide, trailing only New York and California, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Illinois’ action comes three days after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency and two days after New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a public health emergency for the city.
Monkeypox typically begins with flu-like symptoms and swelling of the lymph nodes before progressing to a rash or lesions across the body, extremities and genitals, NBC News reported.
Most infections last two to four weeks, KSDK reported.
Per the CDC, “early data suggest that gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men make up a high number of cases. However, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk.”
As of 2 p.m. EDT Monday, New York had confirmed 1,390 monkeypox cases, followed by California with 827 and Illinois with 520, according to the CDC. U.S. cases totaled 5,811.
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