CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois now has at least three people downstate with cases of monkeypox.
A new case was reported Friday. It’s also the third case in Champaign county — this one involving a daycare worker in the Rantoul area.
“We are pleased that, at our request, the FDA — the Food and Drug Administration — has authorized use of the vaccine for anyone under 18, without jumping through the normal hoops in this process,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Acting Director, Illinois Department of Public Health. “That means anyone with their guardian’s approval will be vaccinated today.”
Vohra says screenings of others in the day care are taking place.
“Health officials will continue to stay in contact with families and provide information and resources in the coming days,” said Vohra. “The adult also works in a home health care, and we are in contact with the one client who has been impacted.”
The three cases in Champaign county are among 603 cases statewide — the fourth most in the United States, which has 7,509 cases as of Friday. Most of the cases are in Chicago.
Zero cases are still being reported in Peoria County.
CLICK HERE for more information about monkeypox in Illinois.
