donnay
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Mumps outbreak at Ohio State a threat despite vaccinations
March 16, 2014
Brandon Merriman
[email protected]
With 21 cases of mumps reported at and around Ohio State, students are being advised that a vaccination will not completely guard them from infection.
Jose Rodriguez, spokesman for Columbus Public Health, said Saturday 21 cases had been reported as of Friday.
“Seventeen are OSU students, one is a staff member, one is a family member, and two have community links to OSU students,” Rodriguez said.
Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. It can spread through coughing, sneezing or contact with saliva or mucus.
Those affected by mumps might have swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on the side of the face, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and inflammation of the testicles in men, according to the CDC. The website also says there is no specific treatment for mumps, but it is usually gone in a week or two.
Rodriguez said notices have been issued to health departments across the country because many potential carriers left Columbus for spring break.
“We’re hopeful that students will come back healthy and safe, but because there is a (15 to 25 day) incubation period, we know there is a possibility that we’re going to see new cases,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said those who have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine still have a 10 to 20 percent chance of being infected.
Rodriguez called the group of cases in the outbreak “highly vaccinated,” meaning most of the people had their vaccinations.
Continued...
March 16, 2014
Brandon Merriman
[email protected]
With 21 cases of mumps reported at and around Ohio State, students are being advised that a vaccination will not completely guard them from infection.
Jose Rodriguez, spokesman for Columbus Public Health, said Saturday 21 cases had been reported as of Friday.
“Seventeen are OSU students, one is a staff member, one is a family member, and two have community links to OSU students,” Rodriguez said.
Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. It can spread through coughing, sneezing or contact with saliva or mucus.
Those affected by mumps might have swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on the side of the face, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and inflammation of the testicles in men, according to the CDC. The website also says there is no specific treatment for mumps, but it is usually gone in a week or two.
Rodriguez said notices have been issued to health departments across the country because many potential carriers left Columbus for spring break.
“We’re hopeful that students will come back healthy and safe, but because there is a (15 to 25 day) incubation period, we know there is a possibility that we’re going to see new cases,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez said those who have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine still have a 10 to 20 percent chance of being infected.
Rodriguez called the group of cases in the outbreak “highly vaccinated,” meaning most of the people had their vaccinations.
Continued...
