BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) — Indiana University said Wednesday it has confirmed nine new cases of the mumps, bringing the total number of infected students to 16.
IU said the nine sick students are associated with a fraternity, but has not disclosed the name of the fraternity. The first two students diagnosed with the mumps are roommates who live off campus.
Campus officials are working with the Monroe County Health Department on how to treat further cases as they arise and notifying students that may have come in contact with the affected students.
The university said it continues to monitor the situation but does not plan a large-scale immunization clinic at this time.
Mumps is a viral illness that affects glands that produce saliva. The IU Health Center says symptoms of mumps may include these signs:
- Swelling and tenderness in front of and below one or both ears and along the jaw.
- Pain along the jaw and in front of and below one or both ears.
- Fever.
- Tiredness.
- Muscle aches.
- Loss of appetite.
The mumps vaccine is part of routine childhood shots. U.S. health officials recommend that, by age 6, all children get vaccinated for mumps, measles and rubella.
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