Mumps outbreak at San Diego State University grows to 14 confirmed cases

The County of San Diego said the mumps outbreak tied to San Diego State University includes 14 confirmed cases and one probable case.

The county first reported the outbreak on Sept. 18 and said the updated count reflects data through Sept. 30.

SDSU, the county said, is experienced in responding to student disease outbreaks, including mumps, and has coordinated with state and local health officials along with its Student Health Services and School of Public Health; the university continues working with the County and the California Department of Public Health on educational campaigns, purchase of additional vaccine, encouraging close contacts to get vaccinated and widespread messaging aimed at reducing future cases.

Mumps spreads through direct physical or face‑to‑face close contact within three feet by coughing, sneezing or talking; close contacts reported by confirmed cases are notified by the county about possible exposure.

Anyone who believes they were exposed but has not been notified should watch for symptoms and contact a health care provider for evaluation and testing; SDSU students with symptoms should contact Student Health Services or their health care provider.

People with symptoms should self‑isolate until they can get tested and receive results. Symptoms include fever, headache, earache and swelling and tenderness of the jaw from inflamed salivary glands; severe complications are rare but can include meningitis, decreased fertility and permanent hearing loss, the county said.

There is no treatment for mumps, but isolating during symptoms reduces the spread of infection to others, the county said. Mumps outbreaks on university campuses often last several months.

For people identified as close contacts, the county said a third dose of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective strategy to prevent and control mumps outbreaks; the third dose boosts immunity that may have waned since childhood and does not protect people who are already infected but reduces the chance of infection among close contacts. For more information, the county directs readers to the County Public Health Services Immunization website and to SDSU’s dedicated mumps outbreak webpage.

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