ORANGE – Four students who attended Chapman Law School’s back-to-school event in late January have been diagnosed with mumps, and more could have been exposed to the virus, county health officials said Friday.

One case has been confirmed through testing and there are three probable cases, said Dr. Matthew Zahn, medical director of epidemiology and assessment at the Orange County Health Care Agency.

The three students were exposed as part of the same social group and are experiencing mumps symptoms, Zahn said.

The health agency has supplied vaccines to Chapman University. He said they will be administered through the campus clinic to students who were exposed.

Students were exposed to the virus Jan. 27 at Rudy’s Pub & Grill in Newport Beach, according to a Chapman University health alert issued Friday. University officials are encouraging students who attended the event and who may have been exposed to remain vigilant and get medical care if they experience symptoms.

The incubation period for the mumps virus is usually 12 to 25 days, which means it could take weeks for symptoms to develop, Zahn said. Mumps usually starts out with flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

“After a couple of days, you start to feel the classic symptoms of pain and swelling along the jaw line,” he said.

There is no treatment for mumps other than pain medication as it resolves on its own. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mumps spreads through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat.

An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing or talking; by sharing items such as cups or beverages; through intimate contact; or by touching surfaces with unwashed hands.

Orange County sees about 10 cases of mumps annually, Zahn said. Unlike measles, it’s not a disease that is considered eradicated from the United States, he said.

“But getting vaccinated can help protect you,” he said.

The university is urging students experiencing symptoms to talk to their medical providers or contact Chapman Student Health at 714-997-6851.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@scng.com