The Woodford County Health Department has identified the first probable monkeypox case in the Tri-County area.
Health department administrator Hillary Aggertt said a Woodford County resident tested positive for orthopoxvirus and is displaying monkeypox symptoms.
The health department and Illinois Department of Public Health are working to contact-trace people the patient encountered while infectious.
The case is isolated, and Aggertt said there is no indication of a risk of extensive local spread, since the virus doesn't spread as easily as COVID-19. Person-to-person transmission can happen through physical contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or items contaminated by fluids or sores.
Monekybox is in the orthopoxvirus family. It begins with flu-like symptoms and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last two to four weeks.
