Mumps Outbreak On Romeoville Campus: Lewis University

ROMEOVILLE, IL — The Will County Health Department has confirmed an outbreak of mumps, a contagious disease caused by a virus, on Lewis University's Romeoville campus. According to university, one case has been confirmed and seven more probable cases have been reported among students. As a result of the outbreak, starting Dec. 10, all students, faculty and staff who cannot provide evidence of immunity are barred from the campus by Illinois Health Department mandate.

Lewis announced the outbreak on Tuesday and canceled several events scheduled on campus.

News of Lewis' mumps outbreak comes as health officials nationwide are confirming the resurgence of measles in 27 states, including Illinois.

• Measles Return Confirmed In Illinois, 26 Other States

In November, several mumps cases were also confirmed at a high school in McHenry County. Several cases were also confirmed at Western Illinois University in May.

Restrictions barring Lewis students and staff who cannot prove immunity are in place through Dec. 28. Employees who can't locate or find their records before Dec. 10 are urged to get an MMR booster and submit proof of that to the Center for Health and Counseling Services. MMR boosters are available at healthcare facilities including major pharmacies, clinics, doctor’s offices, immediate care facilities or local health departments.

"In an outbreak situation, Lewis University is required by Illinois law to mandate all students, faculty and staff to submit evidence of immunity to the Lewis University Center for Health & Counseling Services," Lewis said in an announcement.

Acceptable evidence of mumps immunity includes at least one of the following:

• Written documentation of receipt of one or more doses of a mumps containing vaccine administered on or after the first birthday for preschool-aged children and adults not at high risk, and two doses of mumps-containing vaccine for school-aged children and adults at high risk (i.e., healthcare personnel, international travelers, and students at post-high school educational institutions);
• written documentation of receipt of an MMR booster in the last five years;
• laboratory evidence of immunity
• birth before 1957
• laboratory confirmation of disease

Lewis is providing an online resource to help students locate their proof of immunity.

"The best defense from the mumps is MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination, which is available at many healthcare facilities, including major pharmacies, clinics, doctor’s offices, immediate care facilities or local health departments," Lewis said in a press release.

Staff, faculty and students should notify their healthcare providers if they experience any mumps symptoms:

• Swollen or painful salivary glands under the ears or jaw, or on the cheeks
• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides.

Mumps symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after infection, and while some people who get it have very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, in others it can cause potentially serious complications, according to the CDC.

Complications are more likely to arise in adults, including inflammation in the testicles that can lead to infertility, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), meningitis, inflammation of the ovaries or breast tissue, and even deafness.

These events on the Lewis Romeoville campus were canceled as a result of the mumps outbreak:

• College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Convocation - Dec. 4
• Men's and Women's Basketball games - Dec. 4
• College of Education Recognition Award Ceremony - Dec. 5
• Student Advising and Registration Orientation (SOAR) - Dec. 5

Rescheduled events will be announced at a later date, according to Lewis.

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