Mumps Continues to Spread at Local College
Almost a month after the mumps outbreak began at a local college, the virus continues to spread.
As of Tuesday, the SUNY New Paltz Student Health Service confirmed 15 cases of the mumps on campus. Several members of the college swim team and one athletics staff member have been inflicted, the colleges says.
Last week the college confirmed 13 cases of the mumps on campus.
The affected students, who have been immunized against mumps, are being isolated for the recommended period of time. Immunizations work but are not 100% effective, officials say.
Twenty students who haven’t been immunized have been sent home until Dec. 10, which follows the Ulster County Health Department and the New York State Health Department guidelines, officials say.
“All SUNY New Paltz students are required to provide documentation of two measles, one rubella and one mumps immunization or provide documentation of a religious or other exemption,” Jack Ordway, M.D. SUNY New Paltz Student Health Service director stated. “According to the New York State Health Department, students enrolled in less than six credits do not need to provide immunization records.”
In late Oct. SUNY New Paltz announced 9 members of the college swim team contacted the mumps.
The college has since canceled all SUNY New Paltz intercollegiate swim meets until 2017. Swim practices are cancelled until Nov. 28.
As a precaution, the college also canceled its Kids Sports Night scheduled for Nov. 18.
Campus tours and general information sessions will continue on campus as scheduled.
Mumps is caused by a respiratory virus. Symptoms include painful swelling of the salivary glands near the ears and under the jaw, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and decreased appetite.
The transmission of mumps is through close contact, sharing of utensils, drinking glasses, and kissing.
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