What to Know
- Mumps is highly contagious and is characterized by fever, headache and fatigue, among other symptoms
- The disease can't be treated and while the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, two doses of the vaccine are the best protection
- The SUNY Oswego case is the first indication that this summer's outbreak, which previously had been confined to one town, is expanding
Two cases of mumps have been confirmed on SUNY campuses, and health officials say at least one of the cases is linked to an outbreak that has afflicted more than 45 people since June.
The state Health Department said Thursday a confirmed mumps case at SUNY Oswego was believed to be connected to the outbreak centered in Long Beach. Another mumps case was confirmed at SUNY Plattsburgh, but authorities say the source of that case has yet to be determined.
Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands. Other symptoms include low-grade fever, fatigue, muscle aches and loss of appetite. After a person is exposed, symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection. Mumps can't be treated, and both campuses have notified their respective communities of the cases.
The SUNY Oswego case is the first indication the outbreak, which previously had been confined to Long Beach, is expanding. In Long Beach, virtually all of the infected people were in their early 20s.
Authorities have said that the outbreak is most likely attributable to a new strain of the virus that is resistant to vaccines. Most of the people who contracted the virus had already been vaccinated.
Officials are urging anyone who may have come in contact with an infected person to consider getting a mumps booster shot.
