CDPH Weekly Media Brief, 05/21/2026

Ebola Information for Chicagoans

CDPH is aware of the ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus taking place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda and monitoring the situation closely for developments. As of today, there are over 500 suspected cases of Ebola in DRC and Uganda, but no cases of Ebola have been confirmed in the United States, and the risk to the American public and Chicagoans remains low.

CDPH and our partners are ready and prepared to respond in the unlikely event there is a potential case of Ebola in Chicago. All passengers entering the U.S. who have been to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days will be funneled to Washington Dulles International Airport for enhanced Ebola public health screening. CDPH will be notified of Chicago residents returning from outbreak affected regions and will be monitoring these individuals for illness.

Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced the first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes of 2026 in the state, identified in suburban Cook County. West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States - about 1 in 5 people infected with WNV will experience flu-like symptoms, while about 1 in 150 develop severe symptoms such as swelling of the brain.

CDPH conducts a robust mosquito control program every year, and began treating City of Chicago sewer basins with EPA-approved larvicide at the beginning of May, and plans to treat over 80,000 catch basins over the course of the summer. The best way to protect yourself from WNV is to avoid mosquito bites using the following tips:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellant that contains ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to label instructions.
• Eliminate standing water around your home: empty water from any outdoor containers such as flowerpots, gutters, pet water dishes, and birdbaths on a weekly basis.
• Keep grass and weeds short to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.
• When outside between dusk and dawn, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, long sleeves, pants, socks, and shoes.
• Make sure that all screens, windows, and doors are tight-fitting and free of holes.

For more information, visit chicago.gov/westnilevirus.

Don't Miss Out on Summer: Mpox Vaccine Clinics

There's a lot to look forward to in Chicago this summer-parades, parties, picnics, beaches, outdoor dining, and more. A case of mpox, however, can throw a serious wrench into those plans, sidelining the patient with painful rashes and a stint of isolation.

CDPH encourages Chicagoans, particularly gay, bi, and other same gender-loving men, to make sure they're fully vaccinated against mpox so that it won't get in the way of summer fun. One shot of the vaccine is not enough. The full two-dose series provides the best protection.

This spring and summer CDPH is sponsoring mpox vaccination clinics throughout the city. In the coming weeks, these include:

• Tuesday, May 26, (6-8:30 p.m.) at Color Club, 4146 N. Elston Ave.
• Thursday, May 28, (9-11 a.m.) at Life is Work, 600 N. Cicero Ave.
• Thursday, May 28, (2:30-5:30 p.m.) at Task Force Chicago, 9 N. Cicero Ave.
• Saturday, June 6, (11 a.m.-3 p.m.), Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 2531 W. Division St.

The mpox vaccine is also available at CDPH's Sexual Health Clinics in Lakeview, Roseland, and Austin. Appointments are preferred, but each clinic may be able to accommodate walk-in patients, according to a limited schedule.

Maternal Mental Health Month

May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health for pregnant women and new mothers. About 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression, such as sadness, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, these feelings begin during pregnancy, a condition known as perinatal depression, which includes the period during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum.

Common signs and symptoms include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, or emotionally flat
• Loss of pleasure or interest in activities once enjoyed
• Feeling disconnected from the baby or doubting their ability to care for them
• Thoughts of harming themselves or their baby, or thoughts of suicide

If this message could help someone you care about, please consider sharing the information from CDPH's Instagram or Facebook.

Maternal mental health challenges are not a sign of weakness, they are medical conditions that often respond well to support, therapy, and sometimes medication.

Summer Begins! CDPH Observes Memorial Day

Festival season is here, Chicago! As we get ready to enjoy all that Chicago's best season has to offer, it's important to remember that taking care of ourselves and each other should be part of the fun. For festival season this means staying hydrated, engaging in crowd safety, knowing the signs of heat stroke, carrying Narcan and testing drugs before consumption. For more information about resources and services, visit chicago.gov/health.

CDPH offices and clinics will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observation of Memorial Day. Hours will resume as normal on Tuesday, May 26.

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