Dear Campus Community Members:
Since May, there have been numerous reports worldwide of the monkeypox virus, and by late May, cases were starting to be seen within the United States. University officials have been attentive to the types of cases and reports around the U.S. and in Illinois. We continue to monitor monkeypox health advisories and information from several agencies, including the DuPage County Health Department, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Monkeypox is part of the Orthopox virus family, which includes cowpox and smallpox. Monkeypox has been around since 1958 when it was discovered in monkeys. The first known human case was detected in 1970, and an outbreak occurred in 2003 in Illinois after humans were exposed to infected prairie dogs. While this is a relatively rare disease, monkeypox has become a larger health concern in Illinois. The number of reported cases has caused the Governor of Illinois to declare monkeypox a public health emergency in Illinois.
As we prepare for the beginning of the new academic year, the University is committed to the safety and well-being of our campus community. We will continue to monitor the developments surrounding the monkeypox virus. In the meantime, here is important information you should know about the monkeypox virus (MPV), including its signs and symptoms, and our response plans.
The University is closely monitoring the monkeypox virus outbreaks at the state and local levels, and we will notify the campus community of any updates that may affect the campus’ mitigation or response efforts.
Sincerely,
Marc Molina
Assistant Vice President
Division of Student Affairs
Additional Resources
For more information on the monkeypox virus, such as how it is transmitted and what the mortality rate is, please find more in the resources linked below: