Penn State Confirms Two Cases of Mumps on Campus

Penn State’s University Health Services (UHS) said in a university press release on Friday that two cases of mumps have been confirmed on campus.

According to the release, the students have been isolated in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania Department of Health procedures and recommendations and the university is in the process of notifying other individuals that may have come in contact with those infected.

Penn State is encouraging anyone who develops mumps-like symptoms not to attend THON this weekend and to contact UHS at 814-863-4463. Symptoms of mumps include tender swollen glands below the ear or along the jawline, headache, fever, and cold-like symptoms, and those who contract the virus are infectious for two days before the swelling begins through five days after the start of the swelling. 

‘All students, faculty and staff should check with their health care providers to confirm receipt of two doses of the MMR vaccine after their first birthday,’  the release stated. ‘Anyone who does not have immunity to mumps either through receipt of the two-dose MMR vaccine or a previous mumps infection, should schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. Students may schedule an appointment at University Health Services; faculty and staff should contact their primary care providers.’

The university also said that during a mumps outbreak, ‘anyone who does not have proof of vaccination may be excluded from campus until 25 days after the last possible date of infection.’

Last year three potential cases of mumps were reported at University Park. The disease is spread via saliva and respiratory secretions — anything from sharing food or drink to touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.