MU Confirms Four Cases of Mumps

Five other students are being tested for the disease

November 2nd, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri officials have confirmed that four students have contracted mumps and five students are being tested for the disease. None of the students are living in university housing. Some of the students awaiting test results are still contagious; health officials have recommended that they stay home and not attend classes. Anyone who suspects they might have the disease is encouraged to call their health care provider.

“All of the students received the required two doses of the MMR vaccine,” said Susan Even, executive director of the Student Health Center. “We’re encouraging anyone who might have facial swelling or soreness to call for a same-day appointment.”

The virus is spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose and throat. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, sharing cups and utensils, or touching objects with unwashed hands.

“Although some people with mumps experience mild or no symptoms at all, the most common indication of the disease is swelling under the angle of the jaw as a result of swollen salivary glands,” said Michael Cooperstock, medical director of University of Missouri Health Care’s Infection Control Department. “Other typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Symptoms usually appear two to three weeks after infection and can last up to two weeks until complete recovery.”

In rare cases, the disease can cause complications, including orchitis (inflammation of the testicles), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), meningitis, oophoritis (inflammation of the ovaries), mastitis (inflammation of the breast tissue) or deafness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html

For up-to-date information about mumps cases at MU, visit:
http://studenthealth.missouri.edu/needtoknow/mumps.html