Number of LSU mumps cases now at 16

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The number of students infected with mumps at LSU has risen to 16.

School officials made the announcement on Thursday, Feb. 20.

It is recommended that any LSU student/faculty/staff who has not received two doses of MMR get the vaccine as soon as possible. In addition, if you have come into direct contact with someone currently diagnosed with mumps, it is recommended that you receive a third MMR vaccine.

The LSU Student Health Center will be providing the MMR vaccine to students free of charge at the Student Health Center. Those in the above high-risk groups can receive their vaccine at the Student Health Center all this week, now through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The Student Health Center Injection Clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. You can also obtain the vaccine at your primary care provider’s office.

If you have questions about obtaining the vaccine, call the Student Health Center Injection Clinic at 225-578-5631.

Faculty and staff with signs or symptoms of possible mumps should contact their private healthcare provider for a clinical evaluation as soon as possible.

MORE: Click here for detailed information on mumps

Five cases were initially reported Feb. 4.

All but one of the 16 cases involves students who live off-campus, LSU spokesman Ernie Ballard. Ballard said the one student who lives on campus is being isolated from other students. The university did not disclose which residential facility that particular student lives in. However, LSU says that student lives alone and will be quarantined in his or her apartment for two weeks.

Mumps is spread by contact with infectious respiratory tract secretions and saliva.

Measures to help prevent viral transmission:

Good handwashing
Not drinking or eating after others
Covering one’s nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

Receiving two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in one’s lifetime is the best way to prevent mumps. Proof of immunity to mumps or proof of two doses of MMR vaccine is currently required for all students at LSU. Most students on campus should be protected. However, the vaccine is not 100% effective, and mumps infection may occur even in fully vaccinated students.

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