The Lake County Health Department is now reporting four confirmed cases and 35 probable or suspect cases of mumps in the area. Current information on the number of confirmed, probable and suspect cases is available to the public on the Health Department’s website at: lakecountyil.gov/3875/Mumps.

In response to the mumps outbreak at Barrington High School, the Health Department and School District 220 are organizing a clinic for staff, faculty and students affiliated with the high school to take place early next week. The Health Department is recommending a second dose of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) for those who have only received one dose, and one dose for those individuals born before 1957. The vaccination clinic is closed to the public and the media to respect the privacy of those being vaccinated.

“The vaccine against mumps is extremely effective and usually produces long lasting immunity,” said Mark Pfister, the Health Department’s executive director. “While no vaccine is 100-percent effective, it is important for those who can be vaccinated to take this extra step and help protect those around them.”

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.

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).

In addition to the MMR vaccine, it is important to practice good health and hygiene habits to reduce the spread of disease, including washing your hands frequently with soap and water, not sharing eating utensils, drinking cups, or cigarettes, sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, and minimizing close contact with other people when sick.

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. Those with symptoms should stay home and contact their health care provider.