The State University of New York College at Geneseo, or SUNY Geneseo Student Health Services reported in an update Tuesday that the number of mumps cases in students has climbed to four confirmed cases.
Of the four cases, two are in on-campus students, while two are in off-campus students.
All confirmed cases of the mumps at SUNY Geneseo affected students who had received the recommended two measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine doses. As seen in recent mumps outbreaks, a second vaccine dose does not guarantee immunity, as strength of the vaccine may wane over time. Also variant strains of the virus could be a factor.
The few students who have never been immunized are required to leave the campus for a minimum of 26 days for their own protection as they are most at risk for contracting mumps. If a new case of mumps is confirmed, the 26-day period restarts for everyone who has not been immunized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mumps is a viral illness that is transmitted by direct contact with respiratory droplets or saliva from an infected person. It is best known for painful, swollen salivary glands that show up as puffy cheeks and swollen jaw. Boys may also have painful, swollen testicles. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscles aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. There is no treatment, and symptoms usually resolve themselves within a few weeks. Mumps is usually a mild disease in children, but adults may have more serious disease with complications.
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