Boston University reports 3 mumps cases, Harvard case count grows

Student Health Services at Boston University (BU) have reported three mumps cases among undergraduate students on the Charles River Campus.

Judy Platt, director of Student Health Services, says the first case was diagnosed before spring break, and the student was asked to self-isolate pending test results. Once the commonwealth’s Department of Public Health confirmed the presence of the mumps virus, students and faculty who may have come in contact with the student in a class or dormitory were notified by email and urged to watch for symptoms.

The other two infected students, whose illness was reported during spring break, live off campus. Platt says none of the students can return to class until their five-day infectious period passes.

In addition, the Cambridge Public Health Department reported Tuesday that twelve mumps cases have been confirmed among Harvard University students at the Cambridge campus, as of March 15. A number of additional cases are under investigation by the Cambridge Public Health Department.

Those who have been diagnosed with mumps or presumptive mumps (while they are awaiting test results) have been advised to self-isolate for five days after onset of symptoms.

Related: UMass Boston reports 2nd mumps case