Southeast reports three confirmed cases of mumps; more cases possible

Three confirmed cases of mumps have been reported at Southeast Missouri State University.

In an email to students last week, the university said nine possible cases had been reported, most of them involving students who are members of fraternities.

Since the email was sent, the number of confirmed cases has increased from two to three, university spokeswoman Ann Hayes said Monday.

Mumps is an acute viral infection. It is transmitted from person to person through direct contact with respiratory secretions or saliva or indirectly through affected objects, the university said.

"You are at most risk in large gatherings of people inside a small area, such as house parties or through prolonged close contact with others," Debbie Below, vice president for enrollment management and student success, said in the email.

Below said anyone who suspected he or she might be infected with mumps immediately should self-quarantine and see a health-care provider for an evaluation.

She said Southeast planned to keep students updated online about the outbreak at semo.edu/mumps.

According to the website, the university continues to receive reports of students showing symptoms of mumps during visits to their doctors or at the campus health clinic.

"These students have left the campus and returned home to self-quarantine," the website stated.

University officials said they would assist the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center to identify and contact those who may have come in contact with the infected students.

Jane Wernsman, director of the health center, said the three confirmed cases are the only ones that have been reported in Cape Girardeau County.

The reports at Southeast follow a mumps outbreak on the University of Missouri-Columbia campus that began last fall.

According to Southeast's website, 334 confirmed and probable cases of mumps have been reported at the University of Missouri campus as of Wednesday.

Southeast officials said an outbreak of mumps also has been reported in Northwest Arkansas, and several cases of mumps have been reported in other states.

Symptoms include swelling of the salivary glands under the ears, body aches, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, low-grade fever, swollen testicles, swollen breasts and inflammation of the ovaries.

Southeast students who have not been vaccinated may contact the campus health clinic to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated, school officials said.

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