Chicago suburbs see cluster of mumps cases

Two mumps cases have been confirmed at Barrington (Ill.) High School in the past week, with more than a dozen additional cases suspected at the school, according to WGN.

The two cases involve one student and one adult, according to the Chicago Tribune. At this point, school officials are referring to the cases as a "cluster," rather than an "outbreak."

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Prairie and Station Middle Schools in Barrington, along with South Middle School in Arlington Heights, Ill., have also reported several possible cases of the mumps, according to the Chicago Tribune. Both Barrington and Arlington Heights are suburbs northwest of Chicago.

Health officials are currently monitoring the suspected cases, according to CBS Chicago. Barrington High School is encouraging anyone with symptoms to stay home from school and see a physician.

The mumps are characterized by painful, swollen salivary glands that cause puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. It is a highly transmissible disease spread by person-to-person contact and is typically accompanied by initial symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.

To learn more about the mumps, click here.

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