Mumps outbreak continues in Chicago suburb

Local health officials have declared an official mumps outbreak at Barrington (Ill.) Middle School — Station Campus on Wednesday, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The official designation was made after both the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Lake County Health Department confirmed a third case of the mumps at the facility. Health officials previously declared an official mumps outbreak at Barrington High School on March 7. The high school reported the first case of the mumps in the Chicago suburb on Feb. 28.

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As of Wednesday, the Lake County Health Department has confirmed eight cases of the mumps among county residents with an additional 17 cases listed as probable. As the middle school is located in Cook County, the investigation into the outbreak falls under the jurisdiction of the CCDPH. Collectively, the cases amount to a multi-jurisdictional outbreak. The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin posting all confirmed and probable cases across both counties online Friday.

The mumps is commonly spread through sneezing, coughing and the sharing of common items like cups that come into contact with saliva. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite in addition to swollen salivary glands that cause puffy cheeks and swollen jaw.

To learn more about the mumps, click here.

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