In a follow-up on the mumps outbreak at Syracuse University, school health officials put the total cases at 50– confirmed and probable cases at 24 and 26, respectively.

Mumps/THD
Mumps/THD

The University is taking aggressive action to educate the campus community about prevention and treatment and says there is no reason to be alarmed.

Based on the recommendations from the Onondaga County Health Department, at this time they are not recommending a third measles-mumps-rubella, or MMR shot.

Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. A classic symptom of mumps is parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands in front of the ears) resulting in a tender, swollen jaw. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Some people with mumps have very mild or no symptoms. Persons should seek medical attention immediately if they develop symptoms.

People with mumps are most infectious in the several days before and after the onset of parotitis. The disease is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Transmission can also occur when sharing items, such as cups or eating utensils, or by touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, and prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps. Two doses of the vaccine are 88 percent effective at protecting against mumps and one dose is 78 percent effective.

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