The IU mumps outbreak now affects 20 cases in dormitories and a fraternity – Indiana News



[ad_1]

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WTHR) – Officials at Indiana University's main campus have reported 20 confirmed cases of mumps at school.

The school learned the latest confirmed case just before a press conference Monday to take stock. He was diagnosed by an off-campus medical provider.

According to officials, the first 16 patients with mumps have already recovered and are back in the clbadroom. Three people are still recovering and remain isolated so as not to infect others on campus.

"We have pending tests on patients for whom we suspect mumps, and we are waiting for confirmation from the state laboratory," said Dr. Beth Rupp, Medical Director of the IU Health Center.

Two of the students are international students and all had been vaccinated against mumps. Sixteen of the cases involved students who received two doses of the MMR vaccine. Experts at the press conference said that even with the two doses of the MMR vaccine, it was still only 88% effective.

Graham McKeen, Public Health Officer at IU, said the cases were recorded among dormitory students.

"I know we have some cases in off-campus housing," said McKeen. "Confirmed cases will receive single rooms with individual bathrooms during the infectious period, five days after the onset of infections."

Students are advised not to share things such as cups and utensils and to keep counters and surfaces clean.

The university also said that some cases could be related to at least one fraternity house on campus. IU did not disclose the name of the house, but once this link was found, the university organized a clinic with these members and badociates of the fraternity.

"We also met with the executive council of the fraternity and encouraged them to cancel any social activity this semester and decided to do it on their own," said McKeen.

Time is running out for students who are still recovering. The university is now working with them to reprogram items such as reviews and projects. It's the last week of clbades and next week is exam week.

The university said that as long as students would provide documentation that they were receiving vaccines, "we can accommodate them." Work with the student and his faculty to develop a new academic plan for late So that they can finish the semester ".

IU also works with the Centers for Disease Control by sending e-mails to all students who may have been in contact with the virus.

On campus Monday, we talked to students Ben Self and Jalen Purdue.

"All my clbades are pretty small. I do not really interact with the rest of the students. Much. Even with me, stay for me. I do not have to worry about all this, especially after the first word about it. I'm just going to keep my distance. "

Even with only a handful of cases reported, students are keen to stay healthy during the last week of clbades before the finals.

"I received an e-mail stating to someone in my clbad that I was in the same clbad as someone who was exposed to it or to someone else." one who has it, then I may have been exposed, "said student Pranay Bettadapur.

"Just before I arrived, I learned of the existence of another case," Rupp said at Monday's press conference. "We have not had any major medical complications."

"We also met with the executive council of the fraternity and encouraged them to cancel any social activity this semester. They decided to do it on their own, "said McKeen. IU does not name the house.

Under the law, all students are expected to receive two doses of the mumps vaccine when they arrive on campus, unless there is a religious derogation. The university says that none of the cases concern people enjoying an exemption.

"I just make sure I watch my symptoms and everything. This would obviously be unfortunate, so hopefully everything will be fine, "said Bettadapur, adding that no symptoms have been observed so far.

[ad_2]
Source link