Morehead State University’s Office of Counseling and Health Services would like to remind students that the upcoming spring break period may allow students to travel to places where mumps virus is circulating, thereby coming into close contact with persons infectious with mumps.
Mumps cases may then appear on college and university campuses, in multiple locations in Kentucky, following spring break.
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by the mumps virus. It typically starts with a few days of fever, headache, fatigue, and loss of appetite, followed by swollen salivary glands.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KY-DPH) reports that multiple cases of mumps in college students have been confirmed in Kentucky.
Any students who have swollen parotid salivary glands should make an appointment with Counseling and Health Services (C&HS) or their health care provider to be evaluated. Students can call 606-783-2055 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
If you have any of the symptoms of mumps, avoid prolonged close contact with other people for five days after your salivary glands began to swell. You should not go to work or classes during this period.
In addition to staying away from others, you can help prevent the virus from spreading by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, washing hands frequently, and wearing a mask if you have to be around others.
The most effective means of mumps prevention is administering two doses of the MMR vaccine. If a person has not previously been vaccinated or unsure if they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, it is recommend that you get vaccinated.
C&HS can provide this vaccine and will work to procure additional doses of MMR vaccine for administration to students who are not currently up to date. Vaccination also may be available through your local pediatrician or primary care provider.
