INDIANAPOLIS -- Six days after three Butler University students tested positive for mumps, officials have found six more cases of the disease on students.
PREVIOUS | 3 Butler students have tested positive for mumps | Mumps case confirmed at IUPUI
The incidents at IU and Butler are now considered outbreaks by state health officials.
"At this time, there is no link between the cases at the two universities, so they are considered separate outbreaks,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams. “Mumps is a highly contagious respiratory disease, so I encourage all Hoosiers to make sure your measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations are up to date. The best protection against mumps is to get vaccinated.”
This brings the total of cases of mumps at Butler to nine.
Mumps is caused by a virus. Symptoms typically appear 16 to 18 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Swollen, tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides
The university says go to emergency room if it's after hours of Butler's health center but call ahead so you don't have to sit in the waiting room where you could potentially expose others.
Students, faculty and staff are being encouraged to check their vaccination records.
The best way to prevent mumps is to be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine or MMR.
Two doses are only considered 88 percent effective so people who have had two MMRs may still get the mumps.
The Marion County Health Department and Indiana State Department of Health have the following recommendations for students, faculty and staff:
People born before 1957 are considered immune to mumps because exposure to the disease was common when they were young. Those born during or after 1957 should check to see if they have had two MMR immunizations or have had mumps.
If you have not been immunized with two doses of MMR, or have not had mumps, or cannot find your vaccine medical records, it is recommended that you contact your health provider for appropriate follow up.
Students who have only received one dose of vaccine should receive their second dose at this time.
-----
Sign up to have the latest news headlines delivered straight to your email inbox
