Tag Archives: mumps

Health officials confirm mumps outbreak at Barrington High School

Graphical representation of mumps virus | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(BARRINGTON) Lake County health officials have declared an outbreak of mumps in northwest suburban Barrington.

Three cases of the highly contagious disease were confirmed at Barrington High School, along a fourth unrelated case in the suburb, the Lake County Health Department announced Tuesday.

Seven additional cases are considered “probable” and 20 more were deemed “suspect” at two high schools, two middle schools and elsewhere in the surrounding area, health officials said.

Mumps is passed through saliva and mucus, especially by sharing cups or other items, officials said. Up to half of people who contract the virus at first show mild or no symptoms, which include fever, headache, loss of appetite and tender salivary glands under the ears.

“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.

More Mumps Cases Suspected

By Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM 890

(CHICAGO) In north suburban Lake County, health officials say there are two more possible mumps cases.
There is one suspected case of mumps at Libertyville High School and one probable case at a school in Lake Zurich.
With the addition of the two new cases, the total number of possible and confirmed cases of mumps in Lake County stands at 32.
Those infected include an adult in Barrington, some students at Barrington High School, others at Station Middle School and five suspected cases at Prairie elementary school.  There is also one probable case of the mumps at a school in Arlington Heights in Cook County.
Schools affected have been undergoing deep cleaning. School officials encourage anyone showing symptoms to stay home.
All unvaccinated students also have been told to stay home.