Mumps Outbreak Prompts Pop-Up Clinic, Rescheduled Commencement - Romeoville, IL Patch

ROMEOVILLE, IL — After a mumps outbreak with one confirmed case and nine more probable cases — up from seven probable cases reported earlier this week — Lewis University is hosting a two-day pop-up immunization clinic for those wishing to get an MMR vaccination booster. The booster is available from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday in the University Dining Room at the Romeoville campus.

More events have also been canceled on the campus, including scheduled graduation ceremonies. "Out of concern for safety and health, all Commencement Ceremonies and related activities planned for the weekend of December 15-16, 2018 are rescheduled for the weekend of May 17-19, 2019. Specific details about the May 2019 Commencement Ceremonies and related activities will be forthcoming before January 1, 2019."

Related: Mumps Outbreak: Possible Case At Lockport Township HS

The school added, "This rescheduling will not delay the traditional timeline for December graduates to receive their diploma and have access to transcripts."

Lewis President David J. Livingston acknowledged the difficulties experienced by many students and staff as a result of the outbreak in an announcement on Thursday. "This has been a challenging week for everyone," he said. "You have shown great resiliency and demonstrated your care and concern for others. I am so proud to be a part of this community."

Livingston also acknowledged the frustration of those who will not get to attend commencement ceremonies this month.

"Out of a sense of caution and concern for our community and the loved ones who would join us to celebrate, we believe it is the most appropriate decision," he said. "I have heard stories of faculty members going out to dinner with families who had traveled great distances to be at an honors night celebration but found it was canceled. I also have observed members of our community reaching out to help those who cannot be at work or attend a class. These actions represent the best of who we are as a Lasallian community."

Pop-up MMR booster clinic

Employees who want to get a booster must bring their insurance card along with the completed consent form for an expedited process.

Osco will be able to provide point-of-service billing with emailed receipts, Lewis said. Most insurance carriers cover this as a preventative benefit, and for those who do not have insurance, there will be a discounted price for the vaccine.

On Tuesday, Lewis announced that the Will County Health Department confirmed the outbreak, and notified students, faculty and staff that anyone who cannot provide proof of immunity would be barred from campus starting Dec. 10.

Signs of mumps

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.

Photo via Patch archive/Lewis University

Get the Romeoville newsletter

Subscribe

https://ift.tt/2QgORxM