Spike In Mumps Cases Across Illinois

Public health officials are investigating a sharp increase in the number of mumps cases recorded in central Illinois, including in Champaign County.

The State Journal-Register reports there has been 52 cases of the viral infection reported in Morgan and Sangamon counties.
 
The newspaper reports there were 26 cases reported in all of Illinois in 2013.   Jim Stone is director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health and says "the spike is unusual.''
 
So far this year, there's been 65 cases reported across the state, including the cases from Morgan and Sangamon counties, and Champaign County.

Mumps has also been reported in Fulton, Greene, Cook and Will counties. The cases are mostly in adults.
 
Mumps can cause swelling of the salivary glands, along with fever, headaches, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.