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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. (Dwight Adams / IndyStar)
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More than a dozen mumps cases have been confirmed at Indiana University in Bloomington, and most cases are associated with a fraternity, officials told IndyStar on Wednesday.

University spokesman Chuck Carney told IndyStar that the 16 cases were students. The status of cases is not clear. Nine of the cases are fraternity-related, which Carney declined to name for reasons of confidentiality.

Carney noted that fraternity-related cases do not mean that they are all members of the fellowship. The students involved could have been anyone who had been home to the fraternity.

The number of mumps cases has been increasing since February, when the first case of mumps on the IU Bloomington campus was identified.

Pediatrician Charles Goodman holds a dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in his office in Northridge, Calif., January 29, 2015. (Photo: Damian Dovarganes / AP)

On April 4th, the Monroe County Department of Health organized a clinic in the fraternity and offered free doses of MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella).

"It helps limit the possibility they've been exposed," said Carney. "We had about 58% of the frat who took part in that.

Carney said officials from the County Health Department, the Indiana Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discussed possible next steps.

The best way To prevent mumps, you need to be vaccinated with two doses of MMR vaccine and adopt good hygiene habits, such as washing your hands regularly, according to the health authorities.

People with mumps are contagious two to five days after the onset of symptoms, the university announced. Symptoms of mumps include fever, muscle aches, headaches and loss of appetite and usually last two days or more.

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Anyone who thinks they have mumps should avoid contact with others and seek immediate care.

Contact Crystal Hill, IndyStar reporter, at 317 444-6094 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @ Chrysnhill.

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