Mumps outbreak at Lewis causes graduation cancellation - The Bugle

Ryan Ostry
Bugle Reporter
@RyanOstry_BR18
rostry@buglenewspapers.com

Along with other campus events, a mumps outbreak at Lewis University has caused the campus to postpone the December commencement ceremony until May 17-19.

“I don’t feel good about being on campus today, I’m an older student with kids at home but I have finals so there’s not much I can do about it,” said Lewis student Michael, who followed direction by the University to not give last names to media. “I’m graduating but I obviously won’t be walking this December or next May because I’m going to Law school. Myself and all of the other students work very hard and I would of liked to show my kids that hard work pays off and you can get recognized but now I just have to wait for the University to mail [my diploma] to me.”

There has been one case confirmed, with around nine other potential cases of mumps that have been reported.

“Our focus from the start was to maintain the academic experience for our students at this critical time, while still being concerned with the students health,” said Joe Falese, Senior VP for student services. “We’ve made a lot of changes in the events, schedules and other gathering where there will be people from the outside coming.”

The initial gradation ceremony was scheduled to take place Dec. 15-16, but because of the sudden outbreak, that and many other campus events have been cancelled.

“It was a very difficult and disappointing decision but again in cooperation with Will County speaking from the criteria to bring 2,500 to 3,000 on our campus while we’re considered in a mumps outbreak would not be the thing to do,” Falese said. “We share the disappointment with our students, but it was a decision we needed to make.”

The university has also cancelled all remaining events through Dec. 28, but class schedules will remain the same.

“Our Heritage play, basketball games and other events that have large external audiences were cancelled with some being rescheduled,” Falese said.

Will County Health Department officials are recommending that medical providers and hospitals throughout the county take full precautions if someone enters their offices with typical mumps symptoms.

These would especially include swollen salivary glands around the ears, mouth, and neck areas; in addition to fevers, headaches, body aches or flu like symptoms, in addition to swollen glands.

WCHD officials say one of the potentially biggest mistakes that can be made is to assume that someone with those symptoms has no chance of having the mumps just because they have already had the standard two doses of the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine.

Someone with the swollen salivary glands might not be even considered for mumps testing because they have both MMR shots on their records, but mumps should not be excluded as a possibility in those cases.

Records show that the majority of the suspected mumps cases at Lewis University do indeed involve students who have had the two doses.

The Health Department is also recommending that those with two previous MMR vaccines who have come in contact, or believe they were in the presence of anyone with confirmed mumps or mumps symptoms should make an appointment for their third MMR mumps shot as soon as possible.

A third MMR shot is not needed for those who are showing mumps symptoms or have already tested positive for mumps, due to the natural immunity of the mumps virus.

“Across the University there is extreme disappointment and our hearts go out to all of our students,” Falese said. “With this situation and the way it has unfolded, it has been a very difficult time for us as a community, but I’m very proud of the way our community has responded with the focus on public health and the critical functions for our students to have the academic experience.”

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