Mumps Cases Increase Back Up In C-U This Month

Champaign-Urbana’s Public Health District can’t pinpoint a reason behind a jump in mumps cases the past few weeks.  Eight cases were reported in Champaign County last month, compared to 24 in December.  Communicable Disease Investigator Rachella Thompson-Brown says most of those cases are on the University of Illinois campus.

She says even some who have been vaccinated can still become infected.

“Hopefully if you are properly vaccinated, if you’ve had two MMRs (measles-mumps-rubella vaccines), hopefully that will decrease your risk of becoming infected," she said.  "But if not, it will decrease the severity of it.  I mean, the cases we have seen in those persons that have been properly vaccinated, I mean, they’ve been very, very mild cases.”

Since April, Champaign-Urbana has seen 197 cases of mumps. None have required hospitalization. 

Symptoms of mumps can include a fever, headache, loss of appetite, and swelling of the salivary glands. 

There is no specific treatment, but over-the-counter pain relievers and regular rinsing of the mouth are recommended to reduce symptoms.

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and U of I’s McKinley Center continue to provide free vaccines.