Two Illinois Residents Die From Monkeypox Virus

Two residents of Illinois have past away due to complications with the Monkeypox Virus. NewsChannel20

With COVID apparently not going 100% away anytime soon, reading this story was kinda a "oh yah, I forgot about this one." That sounds bad, please don't take offense...But the "news cycles" haven't said much recently.

So what IS the Monkeypox virus?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox - CDC

The Chicago Department of Public Health announced last Friday that two Chicago residents have died from Monkeypox. There were other health conditions with both of the patients including weakened immune systems.

Both patients were adults, and were diagnosed about six weeks ago with the Monkeypox Virus. The two are not related to each other, totally separate cases.

“Our hearts go out to these individuals’ families and friends,” said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. “Though the number of new MPV cases has declined substantially since summer, this is a stark reminder that MPV is dangerous and can cause serious illness, and in very rare cases, even death." - The Chicago Department of Public Health

This is a very rare thing, and the cases have in fact declined in Illinois...whew!

There has been a total of 32 deaths related to the Monkeypox Virus. The Monkeypox Virus spreads through close, intimate contact.