By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

The McLean County Public Health Department declared a mumps outbreak at the Heartland Community College campus in Normal Wednesday.

Four cases on campus have been confirmed and letters are being sent to all students, faculty, and staff who have been identified as close contacts to the individuals with mumps.

Mumps is a viral infection that causes swelling in the salivary glands near the jaw. It is contagious disease spread through mucous droplets from the nose or throat of an infected person.

Spokespeople from the McLean County Health Department remind people to continue practicing good health practices and to keep up to date on their Measles, Mumps and Ruebella vaccinations.