College of Charleston: Health officials declare mumps outbreak

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

School officials with the College of Charleston reported three individuals tested positive for mumps. Based on these three cases, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has labeled this situation as an outbreak.

In an effort to prevent the spread of mumps on campus, the College of Charleston, in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, will host a Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and Thursday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. The clinic, which is for CofC students, faculty and staff, will take place on the fourth floor of the Stern Student Center (71 George Street).

This MMR vaccine clinic is intended for those members of the campus community who have not been vaccinated, have received only one dose of the MMR vaccine, are unsure of their MMR vaccination status and/or cannot document their MMR vaccination status. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control do not recommend a third dose of MMR vaccine for those who have documentation that they have been previously vaccinated or who were born before 1957.

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Mumps is a contagious viral infection that may result in parotitis, which causes swelling in the cheek and jaw area below the ear. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms and often do not know they have the disease. Most people with mumps recover completely in a few weeks. Mumps can occasionally cause complications including deafness, inflammation of the testicles, brain, tissue covering the brain, ovaries, and breasts. Mumps is spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat.



