The number of mumps cases related to Temple University’s outbreak rose to 130 cases on Thursday, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported.
There are still 18 confirmed cases, which hasn’t changed over the course of the week, and 112 probable cases, wrote Jim Garrow, the director of communications for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, in an email to The Temple News.
Ten total cases are in counties surrounding Philadelphia, and 120 are in the city. The outbreak, which began at the end of February, is expected to continue through the end of the semester.
Someone with mumps is considered contagious two days before their face swells, through five days after, according to a university release. It’s recommended that people with mumps isolate themselves so they’re less likely to infect other people.
There are 19 reported mumps cases in the university’s residential halls, Mark Denys, the director of Temple’s Student and Employee Health Services, told The Temple News last week. Denys could not be immediately reached on Thursday for an update on these cases.
The university and Department of Public Health administered more than 4,800 measles, mumps, rubella vaccines last week during two free vaccination clinics for students, faculty and staff in Mitten Hall. Employee and Student Health Services has additional vaccines available for free for anyone who missed the clinics, Garrow wrote in an email to The Temple News last week.
Anyone who suspects they have the mumps is encouraged to contact Employee and Student Health Services, and isolate themselves for at least five days to prevent spreading the infectious disease.
Be the first to comment