Influenza is sometimes a big problem in Illinois --- but so far, not this year. The amount of flu cases reported in the state is being described as “sporadic” and “average.”

Awais Vaid, Director of Research and Planning with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, says the county went from 24 mumps cases in early December to just four since.  But he says each case needs to go through two incubation periods before being sure the illness has left the area.

The mumps outbreak in Champaign-Urbana had decreased from over 100 last summer to just eight cases in November.  But in December, the total has climbed back to 24.  A expert with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District can't point to one reason for that increase.  

Awais Vaid with Champaign-Urbana's Public Health District says staff is currently dealing with eight cases of mumps.  The outbreak saw as many as 175 since late August, mostly among U of I students.  But Vaid believes the outbreak could be over after the end of the fall semester.