Illinois State University reports mumps outbreak

Three students at Illinois State University in Normal have been diagnosed with the mumps, according to the McLean County Health Department.

University officials notified the campus community of the outbreak March 31. Mumps is a highly communicable virus transmitted by person-to-person contact. Initial symptoms typically persist for several days and include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite and may be followed by swollen salivary glands.

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The last mumps outbreak in McLean County concluded on August 4, 2016 after 50 days with no new infections reported.

"Once a virus like mumps is introduced into the community it's not too surprising to see cases reappear periodically, especially in a closed community like a college campus where you have a population that participates in social activities and often lives in more densely populated living quarters," said Melissa Graven, RN, BSN, communicable disease supervisor with the county health department. "Our focus now is stopping the spread of the virus by encouraging students to be sure they have received two doses of MMR (mumps, measles and rubella vaccine), stay home if they feel ill, and seek care from their healthcare provider if signs and symptoms persist."

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