A mumps outbreak is causing concern at a Chicago-area college.

At least 19 cases of the infection have been confirmed at Wheaton College in DuPage County.

Tiffany Self is a spokeswoman for the school.

She says infected students are being isolated from the rest of the faculty and student body.

“All local students, we send them home, because it’s a little bit more comfortable being isolated at home and being cared for by mom and dad,” she said.

“If they’re not local, we’re putting them in isolation apartments here on campus.”

Self says at least four more students are suspected of having the mumps.

According to the DuPage County Department of Health, the cases can be linked to an outbreak in Iowa last year.

The department says there are usually 10 cases of mumps a year in Illinois, but this year that number is at 600.