On Monday, August 1, 2022, Governor Pritzker issued a proclamation declaring the monkeypox virus a public health emergency and declaring the state of Illinois a disaster area regarding the disease.   

Declaring a state of disaster expands the resources and coordination efforts of state agencies in responding to, treating, and preventing the spread of monkeypox. Proclaiming a state of disaster will allow IDPH to expand vaccine and testing capacities, with the help of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and via state and federal recovery and assistance funds.

Find out more about monkeypox at www/cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox.

Read the full News Release issued by the Governor's office here.