What to Know
- Mumps is highly contagious and is characterized by fever, headache and fatigue, among other symptoms
- The disease can't be treated and while the vaccine is not 100 percent effective, two doses of the vaccine are the best protection
- 20 cases of the mumps have been reported at SUNY New Paltz and now one at least three have been reported at the high school
The mumps outbreak that has afflicted more than a dozen people at the State University of New York at New Paltz since early October is expanding, with 20 cases now confirmed on the campus and at least three confirmed at the town's high school, officials for both schools said.
Twenty people at SUNY New Paltz, including at least eight members of the swim team and one athletic staff member, have come down with the mumps, a highly contagious viral disease, in the last month and a half. Another four cases were added to the total late last week.
The outbreak has spread to New Paltz High School, where at least three student-athletes have been confirmed to have the disease. As a precaution, the high school has suspended the rest of the men's volleyball non-traditional season through the fall semester, the school said.
The affected SUNY New Paltz students, who have been immunized against mumps, have been isolated for the recommended period of time. Twenty students who have not been immunized have been sent home until December.
Campus tours and general information sessions will proceed as scheduled, but residence halls home to affected students will be avoided for the time being. Overnight visits of student-athletes have been suspended until after Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, the county health department continues to assess possible cases.
Mumps, which can't be treated, is characterized by fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands. Fatigue, muscle aches and loss of appetite are other possible symptoms.
After a person is exposed, symptoms usually appear 16 to 18 days after infection, but this period can range from 12-25 days after infection.
The disease is transmitted by close contact, sharing utensils and drinking glasses and through saliva contact by kissing or other means. Health officials recommend washing hands frequently as a preventative measure.
