McLean County now up to five cases of mumps in 2016

Posted on January 26, 2016
McLean County Health Department
The McLean County Health Department Department reminds residents to protect themselves from mumps. (Adam Studzinski/WJBC)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Health Department says another case of mumps has been detected in the county, bringing the number of mumps cases this year to five. Spokeswoman Lisa Slater said the cases are spread out, so no outbreak has been declared.

“And the age range this time compared with the outbreak we had in 2015 is different,” Slater said. “We have individuals who are only six years of age up to the age of 37 who have confirmed mumps this time.”

Nearly 40 cases were reported last year in McLean County and Slater said that experience should help health officials deal with new cases this year.

Symptoms of mumps include achy muscles, loss of appetite, headache, low-grade fever and general discomfort. Slater recommends avoiding close contact with anyone who was sick. That includes sharing drinks, eating utensils and cigarettes. You should also wash your hands often and clean surfaces you touch frequently.

Slater said anyone who may feel symptoms, even if it seems more like the flu, should isolate themselves immediately and contact a doctor.

PODCAST: McLean County Health Department spokeswoman Lisa Slater discusses the new mumps cases in 2016 with WJBC’s Dan Swaney.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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