Will County health officials announced that there is a mumps outbreak on the Romeoville campus of Lewis University due to one confirmed case and seven probable cases in students.

Mumps/THD
Mumps/THD

The Illinois Department of Public Health is mandating that all students, faculty and staff submit evidence of immunity to the Lewis University Center for Health & Counseling Services, located in the lower level of Mother Teresa Hall. You can drop off records at the Center for Health & Counseling Services, the Office of Student Services located in the Student Union, or the Office of the Registrar located in the Brother Paul French, FSC Learning Resource Center.

Beginning Monday, December 10, 2018, all students, faculty and staff who have not submitted evidence of immunity are restricted from campus until at least December 28, 2018.

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Acceptable presumptive evidence of mumps immunity includes at least one of the following: • written documentation of receipt of one or more doses of a mumps containing vaccine administered on or after the first birthday for preschool-aged children and adults not at high risk, and two doses of mumps-containing vaccine for school-aged children and adults at high risk (i.e., healthcare personnel, international travelers, and students at post-high school educational institutions); • written documentation of receipt of an MMR booster in the last five years; • laboratory evidence of immunity; • birth before 1957; or • Laboratory confirmation of disease.

Mumps is an acute, self-limited, viral illness spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing and direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals.

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The virus does not live long outside the host, however, it also can be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. The Center for Health & Counseling Services is in communication with our cleaning services to ensure the appropriate disinfection measures are being taken.

Some common symptoms with mumps infection include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands (parotitis) under the ears on one or both sides. Notify your healthcare provider if you become ill and develop swollen or painful salivary glands under the ears or jaw, or on the cheeks.

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The best defense from the mumps is MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination, which is available at many healthcare facilities; including, major pharmacies, clinics, doctor’s offices, immediate care facilities or local health departments. It’s also offered at the Center for Health & Counseling Services.