Collegiate Times

What began as a single case in December 2005 at the University of Iowa has expanded into one of the largest Mumps outbreaks in the last two decades.

In a joint statement released April 19, 2006 from the American College Health Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, both organizations declared a multi-state mumps outbreak alert.

In Iowa alone, there have been 605 confirmed and possible cases. Now almost 1,000 have been reported altogether by the Federal Health Agency. In most instances, the infected are between the ages of 18 and 25 and are on college campuses. Other cases in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin are being examined.

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands leading, in most cases, to a distinct swelling of one or both cheeks. This infection is extremely contagious, spread by sneezing, coughing and other means of direct contact. Once infected, symptoms are usually seen within two to three weeks.

These can include headache, chills, lack of energy and appetite loss. Once a person has contracted the disease, they become immune to it. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, ?Complications of mumps can arise when inflammation continues into the brain and spinal cord, known as meningitis or when swelling becomes so great that hearing loss occurs.?

As for prevention and control, the CDC is working closely with the ACHA to maintain sufficient standards of deterrence.

The vaccine, MMR, standing for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, is usually received before kindergarten or first grade. In Virginia, it is mandatory that full-time college students get at least one vaccination.

However, some seem to think these mandatory vaccinations may not be enough to curtail this outbreak.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, it appears that many of the reported cases feature infected individuals with one or even two vaccinations. The vaccination for Mumps is only 95 percent effective, meaning that out of 100 vaccinations, five of them will not 'take.' Thus, these five people are susceptible to the virus.

The same study shows that in a highly vaccinated society, similar to Iowa, it is very normal to see a high percentage of people, infected with mumps, who have also been vaccinated.

As of now, no cases have been reported at Virginia Tech, but Schiffert Health Center is taking mild precautionary measures in light of the recent growth of this outbreak. Although state law mandates all full-time students be vaccinated, exemptions for religious reasons and the exclusion of part-time students from mandatory immunizations have left the staff at SHC with a lot of work to do.

Jeannie Baker, quality improvement coordinator at SHC, said, ?We've begun searching our databases for students who have not been vaccinated.?

On top of advertising immunization history and exemption forms on its website, SHC has also ?notified people in the Health and Society office,? Baker said.