8 Mumps Cases Identified At 2 McHenry County Locations: MCDH

WOODSTOCK, IL — The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) announced Wednesday an investigation is underway as eight cases of mumps have been identified at two county locations. In a release, the MCDH said an outbreak was identified at a Crystal Lake church with six positive cases, and two positive cases have been identified at the McHenry County Correctional Facililty, with other suspected cases pending. The MCDH said it hasn't been determined whether the two locations are related at this time.

Both individuals had been at the correctional facility during their cases' infectious period, according to a release. However, the MCDH said those who have mumps or are showing symptoms of the viral disease are being isolated until they are no longer infected.

According to Susan Karras, RN, Director of Public Health Nursing for MCDH, “Mumps is a contagious viral disease that spreads through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat when infected people cough or sneeze. Sharing food or utensils also spreads the disease.”

According to a release, Karras added, “Mumps usually starts with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Then most people experience a swelling of their salivary glands, which causes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. Symptoms usually appear 16-18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days. Persons with mumps should stay home until at least five (5) days after symptoms appear. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks.”

MCDH said it's working closely with the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), McHenry County Correctional Facility and the Crystal Lake church in the investigation involving all cases, adding that guidance and recommendations are being provided in ways that are specific to both locations. These include identifying close contacts, determining their immunity status, requiring exposed people without immunity to stay home and encouraging vaccination, MCDH said.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable illness, the MCDH said, adding that vaccinated children and adults can occasionally become infected, but the disease is less likely to be severe. MCDH also said it encourages children and adults to be current with their immunizations, as children should receive the first dose of the mumps-containing vaccine, MMR, at 12 to 15 months, and the second dose at four to six years.

All adults born during or after 1957 should have one dose of MMR, health officials said, and adults at higher risk, such as university students, healthcare personnel, international travelers, and persons with potential mumps outbreak exposure should have documentation of two doses of the mumps vaccine or other proof of immunity to the disease. Persons born before 1957 are believed to be immune, since they were likely infected naturally.

If you think you may have been exposed to mumps and/or are experiencing symptoms, contact your healthcare provider, as MCDH said healthcare providers throughout the county and the surrounding areas have been notified of these cases.

More information: dph.illinois.gov, cdc.gov/mumps, or call the MCDH Communicable Disease Program at 815-334-4500.