Mumps Outbreak Confirmed at Barrington High; More Probable Cases Reported in Lake Co.

LAKE COUNTY, IL - The number of confirmed mumps cases at Barrington High School has now risen to three and has prompted the Lake County Health Department to classify the cluster of confirmed and additional probable cases as an outbreak, health officials said Tuesday evening.

In addition to the three confirmed cases at Barrington High, there is an additional confirmed case in Barrington. That person, an adult, has no known ties to Barrington Area Unit School District 220, health officials said.

On Tuesday, Leslie Piotrowski, spokeswoman for the Lake County Department of Health, told Patch there were currently three probable and 16 suspected cases at Barrington High, one probable and three suspected at Station Middle School in Barrington and five suspected cases at Prairie Middle School in Barrington.

One of those confirmed to have mumps at Barrington High had “not been properly vaccinated,” health officials said in a recent post on the Lake County Health Department website.

In addition, there were suspected mumps case at Libertyville High School and one probable case involving an adult in Lake Zurich, Piotrowski said.

Other health departments in the Chicago area are working to confirm suspected mumps cases. The Chicago Department of Health is looking into a possible case of mumps at Peirce Elementary School in Andersonville, CBS Chicago reports. Meanwhile, test results from suspected cases of mumps at South Middle School in Arlington Heights came back negative on Tuesday, the Daily Herald reports.

• No Mumps Case At South Middle School: District 25
  

The Lake County Health Department on Tuesday evening shared the following message about the mumps outbreak and symptoms to watch for in the highly contagious disease:

Mumps is a serious contagious disease passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. This disease is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared.

Up to half of people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms, and therefore do not know they were infected with mumps. The most common symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides (parotitis). Complications from mumps, although rare, can include inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, breasts and/or brain. People with mumps are considered contagious typically two days before until five days after parotid swelling. They should stay home and contact their health care provider.

“With spring break approaching, and other warm-weather social events coming up, students should be particularly cautious, especially if they are planning to travel,” said Mark Pfister, the Health Department’s executive director.

Children should receive the first dose of mumps-containing vaccine, MMR, at 12-15 months and the second dose at 4-6 years. All adults born during or after 1957 should have documentation of one dose of MMR. Adults at higher risk, such as university students, health care personnel, international travelers, and persons with potential mumps outbreak exposure should have documentation of two doses of mumps vaccine or other proof of immunity to mumps. If you need to be vaccinated or need your vaccination records evaluated, contact your healthcare provider. While two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine typically provide adequate immunity to the infection, the vaccination does not guarantee 100 percent protection.