University of Missouri officials confirmed in a Nov. 4 campus-wide email that eight students had contracted mumps. As of Monday, that number has increased to 17.
“As things change, we’ll update the Student Health Center [website](http://studenthealth.missouri.edu/needtoknow/mumps.html),” MU Student Health Center Director Susan Even said in an email.
Even also confirmed that all diagnosed students have had the required two doses of MMR vaccine.
Director of Residential Life Frankie Minor shared in an email that the first eight cases occurred in students living off campus.
“None of the students identified lived in university housing,” Minor said.
However, among the latest nine cases, Even said “a few” live in the residence halls. The actual number of students with mumps who live on campus and the names of the halls have not been disclosed.
Even said residence halls are working to make students aware of the situation by posting fliers about the disease and prevention strategies.
The virus is spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose and throat, according to the Centers for Disease Control. An infected person can spread the virus by coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing cups and utensils, or touching objects with unwashed hands that are then touched by others.
Michael Cooperstock, medical director of the University of Missouri Health Care’s Infection Control Department, stated in an [MU news release](http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2016/1102-mu-confirms-four-cases-of-mumps/).
that swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw is the most common symptom of mumps.
“Other typical symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Symptoms usually appear two to three weeks after infection and can last up to two weeks until complete recovery,” Cooperstock said.
The Student Health Center requests that after symptoms begin, students who have the disease stay at home for five days, the time period they are considered contagious.
If you have symptoms, call the Student Health Center at (573) 882-7481 or contact your health care provider.
_Edited by Allyson Vasilopulos | avasilopulos@themaneater.com_
