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A petition calling for the temporary closure of the Temple University following an outbreak of mumps has received more than 10,000 signatures. Until Monday, 74 people would have contracted this highly contagious disease. ( Katja Fuhlert | pixabay )
A petition to temporarily shut down Temple University is gaining support online because of the mumps outbreak, a highly contagious disease, among students.
Anxiety grows amidst an outbreak of mumps at Temple University
So far, the petition has received more than 10,000 signatures and is on track to reach its goal of 15,000 signatures.
"Many students with autoimmune diseases in Temple are more likely to get mumps," said the petitioners. "Even the slightest exposure to infection could expose students with this compromised immune system not only to the development of mumps, but also to the aggravation of their pre-existing conditions – faculty of autoimmune diseases."
Philadelphia public health officials estimate that 74 people have contracted mumps at Temple University as of Wednesday, March 20.
The mumps outbreak has caused great concern among students. Even those who have received the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine are worried about contracting the disease.
"I'm vaccinated, but I'm still scared of having it," said a student at Temple University. "I somehow avoid going out and doing things."
The number of possible cases of mumps continues to increase each day and students are worried that the epidemic will escalate. Mumps takes weeks to appear before symptoms appear and exposed people can continue to spread the virus without knowing it.
Public health officials in Philadelphia recommend that people who suspect that they get the highly contagious disease should stay at home, avoid contact with other people, and seek immediate medical attention.
Temple University responds
Due to growing support for the petition and growing fear among students, Temple University announced that it would begin to offer free vaccines on campus in order to combat the mumps epidemic. Students who have not had the injections can benefit from the services from March 27th to March 29th at the Mitten Hall Grand Court.
However, a spokesman said no temporary closure was planned for the moment. The local health service also does not recommend a temporary closure.
Symptoms of mumps include swollen or sensitive cheeks and jaws, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite. The disease is spread by coughing, sneezing, talking and direct contact with the infected person.
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