6 McHenry Co. Jail Inmates Contract Mumps: Health Officials

WOODSTOCK, IL — Six inmates at the McHenry County Corrections Facility have tested positive for mumps, which is at least the second time this year that the infectious disease has been reported at the local jail, health officials said Thursday. The McHenry County Department of Health is now working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the local jail and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to investigate the outbreak and detainees who have contracted the infectious disease are being isolated.

In addition, inmates who have been exposed to those with mumps have been placed in quarantine, according to a statement released Thursday by the McHenry County Department of Health. Health officials have also put up signs and are providing educational materials mumps with the hopes of alerting inmates, staff and jail visitors to the outbreak.

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, Susan Karras, the director of Public Health Nursing for MCDH, said. Mumps usually starts with a fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite and after that, most people experience a swelling of their salivary glands, which causes puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.

Symptoms typically show up 16 to 18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12 to 25 days, Karras added. Anyone who contracts mumps should stay home until at least five days after symptoms appear. And most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks, she said.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable illness. Vaccinated children and adults can occasionally become infected with mumps, however, the disease is less likely to be severe.

The MCDH is encouraging children and adults to stay up to date with their immunizations. Children should receive the first dose of mumps-containing MMR vaccine 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. 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 mumps vaccine or other proof of immunity to mumps.

Persons born before 1957 are thought to be immune, since they were likely infected naturally, according to a news release.

In recent years, mumps outbreaks have occurred in schools, colleges, and camps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Earlier this year, eight cases of mumps were reported in McHenry County, including two cases that originated at the McHenry County Correctional Facility. The additional six cases were traced to people who visited a Crystal Lake church.

More information via the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control

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