Schools
Possible Mumps Case At Arlington Heights Middle School: District 25 Superintendent
The district notified families that a South Middle School student might have the contagious disease, but it hasn't been confirmed.
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Arlington Heights School District 25 officials alerted parents Friday of a possible mumps case at one of its middle schools, the Daily Herald reports.
According to a letter sent by Superintendent Lori Bein, a student at South Middle School, 400 S. Highland Ave., has possibly contracted the contagious disease, the report stated. The case has not been confirmed, however, the report added.
District officials were informed about the student Friday afternoon, and faculty, staff and parents were immediately informed of the situation, the report stated. Bein's letter assured families that the district would stay in contact with the Cook County Department of Health and update parents when and if the student is officially diagnosed with mumps, the report added.
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RELATED: 2 Confirmed Cases Of Mumps; Many More Suspected At Barrington Schools
South Middle School is one of two middle schools in District 25. It has an enrollment of nearly 850 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders.
Find out what's happening in Arlington Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Earlier this week, two cases of the mumps were confirmed at Barrington High School. The high school, as well as Prairie and Station middle schools — also in Barrington —are waiting to see if several more student cases of the disease are confirmed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Symptoms that are exhibited in the first few days of contracting it include:
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches and tiredness
- loss of appetite
Swelling of the cheeks and salivary glands in the neck follow soon after.
Thanks to vaccinations, mumps isn't common in the United States, but outbreaks do continue, especially in places such as schools and universities, where students can have prolonged close contact with one another, the health agency says.
Parents can protect their children from contracting mumps by making sure they're up to date on their vaccinations and that they practice good hygiene.
image via Arlington Heights School District 25
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