By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – It’s not an outbreak, but the McLean County Health Department has found the mumps in the county.

The department reported three cases of mumps have been confirmed. Director Walt How said seven other residents have shown signs of the disease.

“In most cases people just, typically, feel poorly,” said Howe. “(It) typically starts out with a fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and then eventually could develop into a swelling of their salivary glands.”

Howe said those who are at the highest risk should make sure they’re vaccinated.

“Everybody going to school should have had two series of mumps shots, but making sure anybody who has not had their mumps shots, or has had only one, trying to get them to make sure they get fully immunized,” he said.

Howe advised avoiding close contact with people who are sick, avoiding sharing drinks with others, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, washing your hands frequently, and covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

To schedule a vaccine for mumps, contact the McLean County Health Department at 309-888-5435.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].