According to health officials, two Chicago people died after being diagnosed with the monkeypox virus.
According to a news statement from the Chicago Department of Public Health, both patients had several underlying health issues, including impaired immune systems, and both had been hospitalized after getting a monkeypox diagnosis more than six weeks previously.
According to CDPH, the deaths of the two people are unconnected. Additional information, including the hospitals where the patients were being treated, will not be made public.
There have been 1,061 cases of monkeypox documented in Chicago. While instances in Chicago have leveled off, physicians are warning residents to be watchful.
“Everyone in the city as well as the federal public health officials are looking at this closely and remaining vigilant,” said Dr. Anu Hazra, with Howard Brown Health.
CDPH is encouraging individuals who meet the eligibility criteria to get two doses of the MPV vaccine 28 days apart. And even after getting vaccinated, CDPH recommends still taking precautions, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness from monkeypox.
“The great majority of persons with MPV who died had additional health issues in addition to MPV, producing extremely impaired immune systems,” said Allison Arwardy, Chicago’s top doctor, in a statement. “Please keep taking it seriously. If you are at danger of contracting MPV, take precautions and be vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
According to the World Health Organization, 32 people have died as a result of the more than 75,000 cases documented globally this year.
