The New York City Health Department is investigating a confirmed outbreak of mumps (PDF) at Fordham University in the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx as well as the Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan. As of today, 2/24/14, there are 13 confirmed cases among students at both campuses.
Infected students were either sent home to recover or have been isolated from other residents during the infectious phase of the illness. Normally, individuals are still highly contagious up to five days after their outbreak.
Since mumps vaccines can vary in efficiency depending on the person, it is not considered a guaranteed method of immunity. To insure immunity, individuals need a titer blood test to check for mumps antibodies. Even still, the mumps vaccine is a safe vaccine and credited to making mumps a rare disease in the United States.
Mumps are usually grouped with measles and rubella to make an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. Proof of MMR immunity is required for all students attending college in New York State. Immunity may be proven via vaccination or through a titers report. Students are also required to prove immunity to meningitis as well.
As an employee screening company, Mobile Health regularly administers MMR titers and vaccines to healthcare professionals as part of their job requirements and as a part of state regulations. These efforts are important to prevent the spread of communicable disease to the most vulnerable elderly and ill populations.
Mumps is a viral illness that easily and quickly spreads through coughs and sneezes. Generally, the mumps will result in fevers, body aches, and swelling of salivary glands. More serious complications can result if the virus infects the central nervous system, leading to viral meningitis.
Mobile Health recommends vaccination for all individuals and especially those who are in close quarter with others such as schools, offices, and dormitories. Anyone working in healthcare or with those with weakened autoimmune systems should be vaccinated as well.
Contact Mobile Health for more information on our vaccines.
