Health

Mumps Cases Reported at University of San Diego

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Two undergraduate students at the University of San Diego (USD) have been diagnosed with mumps, the County Health and Human Services Agency reported today.

A student who lived off campus was confirmed to have mumps in February. A second student who lived on campus, but was a close contact of the first student, was diagnosed this week with probable mumps. Only one of the two students was up to date on immunizations. 

There are several colleges and universities on the East Coast and in the Midwest that are currently having mumps outbreaks, but it is not known where the first San Diego person was exposed to the viral illness. Between one and three mumps cases are reported each year in San Diego County, usually related to travel overseas. 

“USD has been working closely with the County to notify individuals who were directly exposed to the mumps cases,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “The school community was notified when the first case was diagnosed last month and we are encouraging immunizations for students and staff who are not up to date.”

Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease. It is spread by coughing, sneezing or close contact with an infected person. Mumps causes a fever, headache, earache, and inflammation of the salivary glands which results in swelling and tenderness at the angle of the jaw.

Severe complications are rare, but can include meningitis, decreased fertility, permanent hearing loss, and, in extreme cases, fetal loss during first trimester of pregnancy. There is no treatment for mumps. Most people recover without problems.

The best way to prevent mumps is by getting the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are recommended—one at 12 to 15 months of age and another at 4 to 6 years of age. A third booster shot is recommended for those in close living conditions when there is an outbreak.

For more information about mumps, other vaccine-preventable diseases, and the vaccines that protect against them, please contact the County HHSA Immunization Program at (866) 358-2966 or visit the website at www.sdiz.org.

Tom Christensen is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact