An outbreak of mumps sickened 67 students on campus in Philadelphia, officials say



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The mumps outbreak likely spread to 67 students on the Philadelphia campus, according to officials

  • An outbreak of mumps broke out at Temple University
  • Until now, 12 cases are confirmed and 55 other students are suspected of being sick
  • Mumps cases have been reduced by 99% since the advent of the MMR vaccine
  • However, about every five years since 2006, health officials have noted an upsurge in epidemics, even among those vaccinated.
  • The viral disease tends to strike and spread in very close communities with frequent and close personal contact, such as university campuses.

Health officials in Philadelphia claim that 67 people have contracted mumps at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Last month, the school alerted students that four people had been diagnosed with a highly contagious viral disease.

The MMR vaccine (which also protects against measles and rubella) usually helps prevent mumps, but a number of sick students would have been vaccinated, although the outbreak occurs among epidemics of measles caused by anti-vaxxers.

Yesterday, the school reported that 12 cases had been confirmed by laboratory tests and another 55 were considered probable.

At Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (pictured), 12 cases of mumps have been confirmed and another 55 students are suspected of having highly contagious virus.

At Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (pictured), 12 cases of mumps have been confirmed and another 55 students are suspected of having highly contagious virus.

Probable diagnoses are used in cases where a person in the community has symptoms resembling mumps.

Some people have no signs or symptoms of the virus, but others develop pain and swelling around the face, as well as headaches, fever, muscle aches, weakness and a loss of life. ;appetite.

The advent of the MMR vaccine has reduced the number of annual cases of mumps by 99% since the 1970s.

But since 2006, epidemics have increased in the United States approximately every five years.

Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that vaccination can limit the number of cases, the potential extent of disease spread and the duration of epidemics, it also warns that outbreaks may still occur. happen.

They usually occur in very close communities where people live in close neighborhoods and have frequent contact because the disease is transmissible by saliva.

For this reason, a campus like Temple University is fertile ground for the virus.

In addition, the school previously required only evidence of meningitis vaccination for students considering living on campus.

Now, the school says it is updating its vaccination policy so that students receive doses of MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine, as well as a single dose of Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough) in the last 10 years .

For students who have already become ill or who have come into contact with sick peers, there is no treatment.

Like all viral infections, mumps can not be treated with antibiotics, but usually disappears within a few weeks.

Otherwise, the infection can cause inflammation of the brain, ovaries, breast and testes, although this is rare in adults.

The university asked symptomatic students to drink plenty of fluids, to rest and take anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol and Motrin to treat swelling.

College health officials urge all unvaccinated students to be vaccinated against MMR and recommend a third booster dose to anyone who has been in close contact with a sick peer.

Otherwise, all the academic community can do to stop the spread of disease is to cover their mouths by coughing or sneezing, to wash their hands properly, to keep their food and drink and to stay at home. home they're starting to feel sick.

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