If you are looking for assistance scheduling a monkeypox vaccine appointment, please call Need2Know at (847) 377-8450.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox.’ The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970.

U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak 2022

CDC is tracking multiple cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States.

For updates, visit the CDC's U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak Situation Summary.

Lake County Updates

• Monkeypox Vaccine Eligibility Expands - September 8, 2022
• Preparing for Monkeypox Vaccines - July 6, 2022
• Lake County Health Department Announces First Probable Case of Monkeypox - June 29, 2022
• Monkeypox: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know - May 27, 2022

Information for Healthcare Providers

If you suspect a case of monkeypox, contact the Lake County Health Department's Communicable Disease program at (847) 377-8130, then select option 1. 

• Information for Healthcare Professionals - CDC
  • Case Definition
  • Clinical Recognition
  • Clinician FAQ
  • Infection Control: Healthcare Settings
  • Infection Control: Home
  • Poxvirus Specimen Collection Guide (PDF)
  • Treatment
  • Vaccine Guidance
• Monkeypox Suspect Case Checklist - IDPH
  A checklist of precautions and steps to take if a patient is a suspected case of monkeypox.
  
  
• Monkeypox Clinic Instructions - IDPH
  Clinical instructions if encountering a patient with symptoms consistent with monkeypox or a patient who has had exposure to monkeypox.
  
  
• Monkeypox Vaccination Resources and Updates for Local Health Departments - IDPH
  Resources for becoming a monkeypox vaccine provider.
  • Intradermal vaccination with JYNNEOS for adults, expansion of JYNNEOS eligibility criteria, guidance on pre-exposure prophylaxis for occupational risks, and guidance for minors - IDPH 
    
  • LHD MPV Vaccine Response Plan - IDPH
  • MPV Vaccine Provider Agreement - IDPH
• Monkeypox Vaccine Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Expanded Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP++) Eligibility Screening Tool - LCHD
  A list of screening questions to determine a patient's eligibility for PEP and PEP++.
  
  
• Request for Monkeypox Testing - IDPH
  This form can be used to request testing for orthopox/monkeypox through the IDPH laboratory for residents who do not live in Chicago and meet the testing criteria (see link).
  
  Monkeypox testing is now available at several commercial laboratories, including Aegis Sciences, Labcorp, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Sonic Healthcare. Healthcare providers are encouraged to order testing for patients meeting clinical criteria through those laboratories. Testing at IDPH Laboratories will be limited to priority cases and will continue to require the approval of the local and state health departments.
  
  
• Monkeypox Patient Discharge Handout - LCHD
  Isolation and infection control recommendations for patients after being discharged. Also available in Spanish.
   
• Monkeypox Treatment Flowchart - LCHD
  Detailed steps on how to obtain TPOXX treatment for your patients.
  
  
• Tecoviramat (TPOXX) Workflow for the Treatment of Monkeypox (MPV) - LCHD
  Effective therapeutic options are important to limit severity and complications. Tecoviramat (TPOXX) is a FDA-approved treatment for smallpox but has been granted expanded access in CDC’s Investigational New Drug (IND) program, to allow for treatment of monkeypox in adults and children. While the effectiveness of TPOXX in treating monkeypox is unknown, it may be reasonable to anticipate potential treatment benefit based on animal efficacy data that supported FDA approval for smallpox treatment.
  
  
• Consent for Photo Release Form - CDC
  Healthcare providers must have patient consent to capture and share photographs with local health departments.

Helpful Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Monkeypox
• U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak 2022: Situation Summary
• Signs and Symptoms
• Prevention
• Transmission
• Treatment

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

• Monkeypox

Lake County Health Department

• Monkeypox: How to Keep Yourself and Your Community Safe - Flyer
• Monkeypox Prevention and Risk - Flyer
• Monkeypox: Myth vs. Fact - Flyer
• Monkeypox Symptoms - 5.5x4.2 Palm Card
• Monkeypox and Pets - Flyer