A message from Carolyn Smith, MD – Marquette University Medical Director:
Two additional confirmed cases of mumps have been identified in Marquette University students who reside in a residence hall, bringing the total number of recent cases to four. An earlier case was identified in January. All individuals are recovering at home, and the City of Milwaukee Health Department has initiated the appropriate follow-up communication with close contacts.
Marquette University Medical Clinic is encouraging all members of the Marquette community to take the following steps to stay healthy and protect themselves:
Mumps is spread from an infected person through coughing, sneezing, or talking or occasionally through contact with saliva. Mumps is a viral infection that causes one or more salivary glands (located in the cheeks, below and in front of the ears) to become inflamed, swollen and tender. Other signs of mumps infection may include fever, fatigue, weakness, or pain with chewing or swallowing. Non-immune individuals are the most at risk of acquiring mumps.
Immunization with two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is the safest and most effective way to prevent up to 85 percent of mumps infections. At this time there is no recommendation for a third dose of MMR.
Faculty and staff should check their immunization records. All Marquette students are required to receive the two doses of MMR vaccine before they are allowed to register for classes. Individuals should review their immunization record and history. If you are unsure of your immunization records and history, contact your health care provider or the Marquette Medical Clinic to discuss the MMR vaccine. If you have not had two doses of MMR, it is important to get fully immunized.
If you are currently experiencing any tenderness or swelling in the face or jaw – or if any such symptoms develop, even if you have had an MMR vaccine, you should remain in your residence and contact your healthcare provider, the Marquette Medical Clinic or the Milwaukee Health Department at 414-286-3624 as soon as possible
Additional information on mumps is available from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p42110.pdf or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/about/index.html. For information or questions, contact the Marquette Medical Clinic at 414-288-7184.