With cases of monkeypox on the rise nationwide, officials are urging President Biden to declare the virus a national health emergency. The president has taken steps to get FEMA and the CDC to serve as coordinators to combat the cases of the virus, but no word on if he will make the declaration.
Locally, Gov. Pritzker has declared the outbreak in Illinois a public health emergency. The virus causes pimple-like bumps on several parts of the body and fever and flu symptoms develop as well. monkeypox is not usually fatal and can last up to four weeks.