In a press release Monday, the CDPH confirmed that at least seven cases have been identified in Chicago, a significant increase from the two reported cases in recent weeks. Seven of the cases involved people who recently traveled to Europe and the first two cases appeared to be related, health officials said. A Chicago resident was diagnosed with smallpox after attending the Mr. International Conference. Leather, which took place from May 26 to 30 in the city, and other incidents have been reported in connection with the incident. Monkey pox is a rare but potentially serious viral disease that often begins with flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes and develops into a rash on the face and body, say health experts. It was first observed in Africa in 1970 and is usually found in the western and central parts of the continent. The CDC is on alert after reporting cases of the virus in several countries that do not typically report smallpox cases in monkeys, including the United States. In a press release, CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allsion Arwady said that although the risk was “low”, the CDPH wanted the public to make informed choices about gathering in areas where monkey pox could be spread through close contact. People attending festivals or other summer events should consider how close, personal, skin-to-skin contact is likely to occur at events they plan to attend, according to health officials. If someone is ill or has rashes or sores, the CDPH recommends that they do not attend a rally and visit a healthcare provider as soon as possible. A total of 33 countries have reported more than 1,450 confirmed cases and in the US 49 cases have been reported in 16 states as well as in the District of Columbia. Most people have experienced mild symptoms and no one has died. “Usually, in a normal year, we will see some cases, mainly in West Africa, related to animals,” Arwady said earlier. “There are animals that can carry it and we will see, you know, a few dozen cases where humans can only be infected by their contact with animals. The reason that more attention has been paid is that at this point, there have been somewhere between 100 cases that have been identified and are not related to the typical way we see monkey pox. “ The virus is rarely fatal, with symptoms ranging from fever, pain and rash all over the body. The CDPH said that person-to-person transmission is possible through “close physical contact with smallpox wounds, objects contaminated with liquids or wounds (clothing, bedding, etc.) or through respiratory droplets after prolonged exposure to contact person. “
