SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The number of mumps cases at Syracuse University may exceed 40, according to the Onondaga County Health Department.

There are 22 confirmed cases and 19 probable cases.

SU has been isolating students with confirmed, probable and suspect cases to stop the spread of mumps on campus. Some are staying in hotels.

The mumps outbreak at SU began last month. Many of the confirmed cases are students who play on the men's and women's lacrosse teams. SU recently shut down those programs for the fall semester.

People who have been vaccinated can still get mumps if they have prolonged, close contact with someone who has the disease. Individuals who have two doses of the vaccine are about nine times less likely to get mumps than unvaccinated people who have been exposed to the virus, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Most of the students at SU who contracted mumps had been vaccinated against the disease.

Mumps outbreaks have been occurring on college campuses across the state and nation.

Mumps is a serious contagious disease passed through saliva and respiratory secretions. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or along the jaw.

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245