College of Charleston mumps outbreak rises to 75 cases

By NewsDesk @bactiman63

The College of Charleston has reported mumps cases since September 17 and today school officials report 75 people have been diagnosed with mumps.

Information has been provided to students, faculty and staff regarding the prevention of mumps which includes checking your vaccination status and following guidance about vaccination. Monitoring for additional cases is also ongoing.

Secondary cases of mumps are possible through at least early January 2020.

Mumps is an infectious virus passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. While the incubation period is 12 to 25 days, symptoms often appear 16 to 18 days after exposure.

Symptoms of mumps may include: swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, testicular swelling and pelvic pain. Mumps virus may most commonly be known for causing puffy cheeks and a swollen jaw.

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Mumps virus is transmitted via droplets in the air. The virus can be spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and releases tiny droplets of contaminated saliva, which can be breathed in by another person. The virus can also be transmitted by direct contact with saliva from an infected person.

MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications caused by the disease. Two doses of the vaccine are 88% effective (range: 66 to 95%) at protecting against mumps. One dose is 78% effective (range: 49% to 92%).

Nationally, from January 1 to December 6, 2019, 48 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S. reported mumps infections in 3,252 people to CDC.