Emerging & Communicable Diseases

A brief summary of information on the Village of Oak Park's operational activities in response to MPV is issued to the Village Board as necessary. Click on the titles below to view the report:

• Feb. 3, 2023
• Dec. 30, 2022
• Dec. 2, 2022
• Nov. 18, 2022
• Nov. 11, 2022
• Nov. 4, 2022
• Oct. 28, 2022
• Oct. 21, 2022
• Oct. 14, 2022
• Oct. 7, 2022
• Sept. 30, 2022
• Sept. 23, 2022
• Sept. 16, 2022
• Sept. 9, 2022
• Sept. 2, 2022
• Aug. 26, 2022
• Aug. 19, 2022

There is a vaccine available to prevent the spread of MPV. Past data suggests that vaccination is at least 85% effective in preventing MPV. Because there is currently a limited supply of the vaccine, eligibility criteria are in place. As the vaccine supply increases, eligibility could change.

As of Sept. 30th, vaccine eligibility criteria for MPV vaccination will include anyone who has not previously had MPV and meets one of the following criteria:

• Anyone regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation who:
  • Had skin-to-skin or intimate contact (e.g., household members with close physical contact or intimate partners) with someone diagnosed with MPV.
  • Exchanges good or services for sex.
  • Lives with HIV, especially persons with uncontrolled or advanced HIV disease.
  • Are eligible or currently taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) to help prevent infection with HIV.

OR

• Sexually active bisexual, gay and other same gender-loving men, or sexually active transgender individuals. Especially consider getting vaccinated if you:
  • Met recent partners through online applications or social media platforms (such as Grindr, Tinder or Scruff), or at clubs, raves, sex parties, saunas.
  • Were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infection(s) (STI) in past 6 months.

If you feel you would qualify for vaccination, contact the Health Department at 708.358.5480 or email health@oak-park.us to be screened. If you are eligible, the Health Department will connect you with a vaccine provider. For more details please visit www.oak-park.us.

Most people with MPV will get a rash.

• The rash may be located in areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, on or near the genitals or anus
• The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
• The rash can look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
• The rash may also be inside the body, including the mouth, vagina, or anus

Click here to see images of what an MPV rash looks like.  
Content note: some of the pictures could be considered graphic by some.

Some people have developed a rash before (or without) flu-like symptoms.

• The flu-like symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches and backache, sore throat, cough, swollen lymph nodes, chills, or exhaustion.
• If someone has flu-like symptoms, they will usually develop a rash 1-4 days later.

MPV symptoms usually start within 3 weeks of exposure to the virus.

The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash.

At this time, MPV is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has the virus.

The virus can spread from person-to-person through direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex. In addition, pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta.

Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids is another way MPV spreads.

People who do not have MPV symptoms cannot spread the virus to others.

MPV can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

• Avoid close, skin- to- skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like MPV.
  
  • Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with MPV.
  • Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with MPV.
  • Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with MPV.
  • Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels, or clothing of a person with MPV.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Isolate at home
• If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible.
• The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to MPV and people who are at higher risk of being exposed to MPV.

What is Ebola?

Ebola is a severe disease that is caused by the Ebola virus.

What are the signs and symptoms of Ebola?

Symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 21 days after contact with the virus. Most people will begin to experience symptoms within eight to 10 days. The course of the illness typically progresses from “dry” symptoms initially (such as fever, aches and pains, and fatigue), and then progresses to “wet” symptoms (such as diarrhea and vomiting) as the person becomes sicker.

Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with Ebola, or a person who has recently died from Ebola.

What are “body fluids”?

Examples include:

• urine
• saliva
• sweat
• feces
• vomit
• semen

What is “direct contact”?

This means that body fluids, such as those listed above, from an infected person (alive or dead) have touched someone’s eyes, nose, mouth or an open cut, wound or abrasion.

Ebola can also be spread on objects or surfaces contaminated with blood or body fluids of an infected person.

A person who is NOT experiencing symptoms, such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea, cannot transmit the virus. Ebola is NOT spread through the air, water or food.