Mpox
If you are looking for assistance scheduling a mpox vaccine appointment, please call Need2Know at (847) 377-8450.
Mpox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with mpox virus. Mpox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. Mpox was first discovered in 1958. The first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970.
U.S. Mpox Outbreak 2022
CDC is tracking multiple cases of mpox that have been reported in several countries that don’t normally report mpox, including the United States.
For updates, visit the CDC's U.S. Mpox Outbreak Situation Summary.
Lake County Updates
- Mpox Vaccine Eligibility Expands - September 8, 2022
- Preparing for Mpox Vaccines - July 6, 2022
- Lake County Health Department Announces First Probable Case of Mpox - June 29, 2022
- Mpox: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know - May 27, 2022
Information for Healthcare Providers
If you suspect a case of mpox, contact the Lake County Health Department's Communicable Disease program at (847) 377-8130, then select option 1.
- Information for Healthcare Professionals - CDC
- Mpox Suspect Case Checklist - IDPH
A checklist of precautions and steps to take if a patient is a suspected case of mpox. - Mpox Resources for Providers - IDPH
If you encounter a patient with symptoms consistent with Mpox or have had exposure to Mpox, standard precautions should be implemented for all patient care. - Mpox Vaccination Resources and Updates for Local Health Departments - IDPH
Resources for becoming a mpox vaccine provider. - Mpox 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 Mpox Testing - IDPH
This form can be used to request testing for orthopox/mpox through the IDPH laboratory for residents who do not live in Chicago and meet the testing criteria (see link).
Mpox 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. - Mpox Patient Discharge Handout - LCHD
Isolation and infection control recommendations for patients after being discharged. Also available in Spanish.
- Mpox Treatment Flowchart - LCHD
Detailed steps on how to obtain TPOXX treatment for your patients. - Tecoviramat (TPOXX) Workflow for the Treatment of Mpox (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 mpox in adults and children. While the effectiveness of TPOXX in treating mpox 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)
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
Lake County Health Department