By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the mumps outbreak at Elon University, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley confirmed in an email that there are two additional cases of mumps in Elon students, bringing the total to 13 since September.

Mumps/THD

According to the email, The Alamance County Health Department has administered 2,261 vaccinations this semester as of Dec. 9.

Health officials recommend to individuals who have not previously had mumps to get a third MMR shot to reduce the likelihood of contracting the disease.

Mumps is a vaccine-preventable viral illness best known for causing swelling of the salivary glands below the ears and above the jaw, called parotitis. Mumps can cause several complications including inflammation of the testicles (orchitis) in men and inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis) in women.

Mumps is spread by droplets from the nose, mouth or throat of an infected person. A person with confirmed or suspected mumps should stay home from work or school and limit close contact with others for five days after the salivary glands swell, or until mumps is ruled out.

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Practicing good hygiene can reduce the risk of spreading illness:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water
  • Cover your mouth when you cough
  • Do not share cups or eating utensils with others, which can pass saliva from one person to another