More Mumps Cases Reported in Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, IL - Health officials in Lake County are keeping a close eye on the rising number of mumps cases being reported among its residents.

The Lake County Health Department has confirmed a third case of mumps in the Barrington community, said Leslie Piotrowski, spokeswoman for the Lake County Department of Health, in an e-mail. The first two cases were a student and an employee at Barrington High and the third case is an adult from Barrington who has no known ties to Barrington Area Unit School District 220, according to the Daily Herald.

There are also currently three probable and 16 suspected cases at Barrington High, one probable and three suspected at Station Middle School and five suspected cases at Prairie Middle School.

One of those confirmed to have mumps at Barrington High had “not been properly vaccinated,” health officials said in a recent post on the Lake County Health Department website.

In addition, there is currently one suspected mumps case at Libertyville High School and one probably case involving an adult in Lake Zurich, Piotrowski said.

Possible mumps cases have also been reported at Arlington Heights Middle School, District 25 officials said last week.

• Possible Mumps Cases at Arlington Heights Middle School: District 25 Superintendent
  

In a message to parents on Thursday, District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris said school officials have been in constant contact with the Lake County Health Department regarding the mumps cases and are following health officials guidance in helping to reduce the spread of the virus in the Barrington community.

"The most important factor in reducing the spread of mumps is being aware of the symptoms," he wrote. "If you or your student experience any of the common signs and symptoms of the disease, please stay home from school and contact a physician as well as the school nurse.

In a message sent on Monday, Harris confirmed that as of 3:30 p.m., there were no additional cases of mumps and reiterated school officials commitment to the health and safety of its students.

Our top priority is keeping students and staff healthy and safe, and reducing the spread of mumps throughout the Barrington community. If your student experiences any of the signs and symptoms of mumps disease, please keep them home from school and notify your child's physician as well as the school nurse.

As I shared with you on Friday, our schools will continue to be cleaned each night with special attention to high-touch surfaces as needed. We will continue to monitor the situation closely alongside the Lake County Health Department and will update you with any new developments.

The suspected cases of mumps are among District 220 students at Barrington High and Prairie and Station Middle Schools, according to District 220.

Health officials said last week more cases could be confirmed within Barrington schools since those with the contagious disease, and those suspected to have mumps, are from all different grade levels, according to the Daily Herald. They are calling the current cases "a cluster," since there have been only two cases, and not referring to it as an outbreak.

• 2 Confirmed Cases of Mumps; Many More Suspected at Barrington High