Jump in mumps seen locally

Health officials in Morgan and Sangamon counties have seen a sharp spike in the number of mumps cases over the past month.

Morgan County has reported 40 cases of the viral infection, which exceeds the 26 cases reported in all of Illinois in 2013, health officials said. In Sangamon County, 12 cases have been reported over the last 30 days, mostly involving adults ages 25 to 53. Over the previous three years, the county saw just one case each year.

“This spike is unusual for us. It’s definitely more than what we would see in the course of a regular year,” said Jim Stone, director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health.

Mumps is a contagious disease that can cause swelling and tenderness of the salivary glands in the cheeks and jaw. Mumps typically starts with a few days of fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and is followed by swelling of the salivary glands.

Stone said is extremely rare for someone to die from the mumps, but there could be complications from the disease.

“It’s possible you could develop meningitis. It’s also possible that children who have reached puberty may have swelling of the testicles or ovaries. There is an outside possibility of sterility. These situations are extremely rare,” Stone said.

Cause unknown

Of the 12 Sangamon County cases, no one has been hospitalized. More than half of the people are over the illness, and the health department is staying in contact with the people who are still showing symptoms.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reports that there have been 65 mumps cases statewide this year, including the 52 in Morgan and Sangamon counties. Most patients have been in the 30- to 50-year-old range.

Other counties that have seen cases this year include Fulton, Greene, Champaign, Cook and Will.

Sangamon County’s health department is working with doctors at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and other physicians on the increase in mumps cases.

Stone said they do not know what caused the sudden surge, and the local cases are spread out across the county.

“It may be that we never know why we are seeing this spike. That’s why it’s important to get the word out to the public about how they can avoid the mumps,” Stone said.

Hygiene, vaccinations

Mumps is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person, usually when they sneeze or cough. Items used by an infected person such as cups or soft drink cans could also be contaminated.

In addition to keeping a close eye on hygiene, Stone said it’s important to be immunized.

Mumps vaccine effectiveness has been estimated at 78 percent for one dose and 88 percent for two doses.

One of the problems with mumps is that people can spread the disease before becoming aware they’re sick.

“That’s why vaccinations are the best means of protecting yourself,” Stone said.

If you suspect you or a family members has mumps, Stone suggests calling your doctor before heading in for an office visit.

“It’s not necessarily a good idea to go ahead and show up because you have the potential of exposing other people. Call your doctor’s office, tell them the symptoms you are experiencing, and they can tell you what to do,” Stone said.

People can prevent the spread of mumps with a few simple precautions:

* Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw tissue away after each use.

* Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand cleaner if water is not available.

* Do not share eating or drinking utensils.

* Refrain from close contact with people who are sick or experiencing symptoms.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

People who develop symptoms should notify their primary care provider immediately. They should remain at home for five days after the swelling of the salivary glands began.

Fevers in children should not be treated with products containing aspirin, as use of these products with viral infections, like mumps, may rarely result in a serious condition called Reye Syndrome.

Contact John Reynolds: john.reynolds@sj-r.com, 788-1524, twitter.com/JohnReynoldsSJR.