In a follow-up to a previous report concerning a mumps outbreak at Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, school health officials are now reporting 36 confirmed reports of Southeast students infected with mumps.

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Image/Facebook

This is up from 15 reported about one week ago.

The University continues to receive reports of students presenting to their health care provider or the Campus Health Clinic with symptoms of mumps. As students are evaluated by the Campus Health Clinic they are tested in accordance with the State of Missouri protocol outlined by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Students living on campus are encouraged, where possible, to leave the campus and return home to self-quarantine. A majority of the confirmed cases are generally among students who are members of our Greek student community, specifically our fraternity community. Additionally, the campus has suspected cases of mumps from students who are symptomatic and these students are currently self-quarantined while their test results are evaluated by the State of Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has updated its recommendation and is encouraging all Southeast Missouri State University students to consider getting a third dose of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine in response to continued confirmed and suspected cases of Mumps at Southeast.

Spring break at Southeast is from Mar. 13-17.

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