In a follow-up to the mumps outbreak at the State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz) in Ulster County, NY, school health officials have reported an additional 12 confirmed cases in the past week, bringing the total cases to 32.
Per campus protocol, the affected students, who have been immunized against mumps, have been isolated for the recommended period of time.
Twenty students who have not been immunized have been sent home until Dec. 23, per Ulster County Health Department and the New York State Health Department guidelines.
Mumps is caused by a respiratory virus, whose symptoms include painful swelling of the salivary glands near the ears and under the jaw, which can occur on one or both sides of the face. This swelling may be associated with other non-specific symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and decreased appetite.
The transmission of mumps is through close contact, sharing of utensils, drinking glasses, and saliva contact (kissing). Washing hands is recommended per the Centers for Disease Control.
Out of an abundance of caution, the campus has enhanced its cleaning efforts in affected areas including the Athletic and Wellness Center, Gage, Shango, Crispell, Lenape and Bouton residence halls.
Through Nov 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported provisionally 3832 mumps cases nationwide. This is the most mumps cases in a single year since 2006.
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