The Indiana University mumps epidemic is tied primarily to a single fraternity

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At least 16 cases have been reported on the Bloomington campus since Feb. 12, said Thursday IU spokesman Chuck Carney.

Nine of these cases were related to a single fraternity – patients were either members of the fellowship or had visited the fraternity home.

UI does not identify the fraternity to protect its privacy.

Carney said that although mumps outbreaks are unusual at IU, the campus experienced a new wave of mumps in 2016.

"All of our students are required to receive two MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccines by the second semester at the latest, with an exemption for religious reasons," said Carney.

Measles spreads across the United States like crazy

Throughout the country, cases of measles and mumps have increased this year.

2019 had the second highest number of measles cases in the United States in 25 years, with 555 cases. And the year is not even over.

Mumps is also on the rise across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 426 cases this year as of March 29, an increase of 275 cases in one month. Earlier, the CDC reported 151 cases of mumps from January to the end of February.

Although both viral infections are similar, there are notable differences.

The mumps virus
Measles and mumps can be prevented with MMR vaccines. Patients infected with one or the other virus may experience fever and, in rare cases, brain damage or death.
But while measles is most commonly associated with a rash that covers the entire body, mumps "is best known for their swollen cheeks and the tender, swollen jaw it causes," said the CDC.

Mumps is spread by saliva or mucus by coughing, sneezing, or talking. Sharing utensils or cups can also spread the infection, said the CDC.

It can also spread when an infected person touches objects or surfaces that are then touched by someone else.

Debra Goldschmidt of CNN contributed to this report.

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