Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Health department reports first case of monkeypox in Lake County

Posted: 29 Jun 2022 11:53 AM PDT

The back surfaces of the hands of a monkeypox case patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a monkeypox outbreak in 1997. | Photo: CDC / Brian W.J. Mahy

Lake County health officials announced Wednesday the first probable case of the monkeypox infection in a resident in Lake County.

The Lake County Health Department said the initial testing was completed on Monday at an Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory.

Confirmatory testing is pending at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health officials consider it a probable monkeypox infection based on initial epidemiologic characteristics and the positive orthopoxvirus result at IDPH.

The Lake County Health Department and IDPH are working closely with the CDC, the patient and the patient's healthcare providers to conduct contact tracing and identify anyone who may have been in contact with the patient while infectious.

This is the only identified probable monkeypox case in Lake County so far, the health department said.

The CDC reports 306 confirmed monkeypox cases in the United States this year.

“Individuals should be aware of how the virus spreads and the signs and symptoms of monkeypox in order to seek medical attention if they develop,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical Epidemiologist at the Lake County Health Department.

“While infection typically begins with flu-like symptoms, some individuals may get a rash first followed by other symptoms. Others will only experience a rash,” Ahmed said.

Health officials say monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the risk to Lake County residents remains low.

Monkeypox is a rare viral illness that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family.

Most infections of monkeypox last two to four weeks and resolve on their own. Some cases can become severe.

Symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A rash that looks like pimples or blisters can appear on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body.

Monkeypox does not spread easily between people without close contact, the health department said.

Person-to-person transmission is possible through close physical contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids and respiratory droplets following prolonged face-to-face contact.

Anyone who thinks they may have monkeypox is asked to contact their healthcare provider.

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Coroner IDs driver killed after crash left truck engulfed in flames on Interstate 94 near Gurnee

Posted: 29 Jun 2022 10:11 AM PDT

The Illinois State Police and Gurnee Fire Department responds to a two-vehicle crash that left one person dead on Interstate 94 near Gurnee on June 22, 2022. | Photo: Craig / Captured News

The coroner’s office has identified a Wisconsin man who was killed after his box truck became fully engulfed in flames following a crash on Interstate 94 near Gurnee last week.

An autopsy performed last Thursday on Lawrence Stone, 66, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, indicated that he died as a result of multiple injuries from a vehicle crash, according to Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton.

The Illinois State Police and Gurnee Fire Department responded around 7:39 p.m. on June 22 to Interstate 94 westbound at mile marker 10.3 in Gurnee, which is south of Route 21, for a report of a two-vehicle crash.

Illinois State Police Trooper Jayme Bufford said a box truck crashed into a white SUV, causing both vehicles to hit the median.

The Illinois State Police and Gurnee Fire Department responds to a two-vehicle crash that left one person dead on Interstate 94 near Gurnee on June 22, 2022. | Photo: Craig / Captured News

The box truck then caught on fire and was fully engulfed in flames, leaving the truck nearly unrecognizable.

The driver of the truck, now identified as Stone, was pronounced dead at the scene, Bufford and Newton said.

Paramedics transported the driver of the SUV to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police.

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Crystal Lake man charged with battering police officers after setting political signs on fire in Crystal Lake

Posted: 29 Jun 2022 08:16 AM PDT

Frank B. Held, 21, of Crystal Lake, has been charged with starting a fire at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake early Tuesday morning and resisting arrest. | Photo – Left: Tony Colatorti campaign; Photo – Right: Provided

A 21-year-old man allegedly lit multiple political campaign signs on fire in Crystal Lake hours before polls opened Tuesday and then battered police officers who tried to arrest him.

Frank B. Held, 21, of the 7500 block of Foxfire Drive in Crystal Lake, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a peace officer, two counts of criminal damage to government-supported property, resisting a peace officer and criminal trespass.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Held started a fire at Veteran Acres Park, 431 North Walkup Avenue in Crystal Lake, just before 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Multiple political campaign signs were burned in the fire, including signs for McHenry County sheriff candidates Tony Colatorti and Robb Tadelman.

Officers responded to the scene and attempted to arrest Held but he kicked a police sergeant on the left forearm, the complaint said.

Held also allegedly pinched another officer on the right wrist.

Frank B. Held, 21, of Crystal Lake, has been charged with starting a fire at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake early Tuesday morning and resisting arrest. | Photo: Tony Colatorti campaign

While resisting arrest, Held damaged an outer vest carrier worn by a third officer, the complaint said.

Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Thomas Kotlowski said Wednesday that the police report regarding the incident has not been finalized yet so he could only provide limited details.

Kotlowski said the police department had been unable to contact all of the parties affected by the crime at the time charges were filed.

Four out of the six parties affected have pressed charges and the police department is continuing to speak with the victims to add charges as needed, he added.

Held remains held in the McHenry County Jail on a $10,000 bond as of Wednesday morning. He would need to post $1,000 cash to be released.

Held is scheduled to appear in court on July 12.

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