Jersey College Has Mumps Outbreak

Maybe stay away from the Stevens Institute of Technology for now.

AP reports that 8 cases of mumps have been discovered at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken.

Here’s a press release from the college:

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), in conjunction with the Hoboken Health Department, Stevens Institute of Technology, and additional local, county, and state health departments, is investigating eight cases of confirmed mumps found in students at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.

Stevens has been working closely with the New Jersey State Department of Health from the onset and is following all of its recommendations in treating the cases.

“At Stevens our top priority is the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff. Consistent with the procedures outlined by the NJDOH, all students with suspected mumps infection were isolated from others during the infectious phase of the illness and returned to their homes off campus,” said Maggie Cunning, Director of the Student Health Services. “There have been no reports of newly symptomatic cases since the initial cases last week.”

Cases were found in students ranging in age from 18 to 21 years and all were fully vaccinated with two documented doses of mumps-containing vaccine.

Outbreaks of mumps have occurred in vaccinated populations before including other colleges and universities such as Ohio State University and Fordham University in New York City.

All Stevens’ students are required to have full vaccinations before attending the University, including the vaccination for mumps, measles and rubella (MMR).   Faculty and staff members who are unsure of their immunization status have been advised to contact a health care provider.

Stevens is encouraging students and staff, or anyone who may have recently visited the campus or had close contact with a Stevens Institute of Technology student/staff member to visit their healthcare provider if they are exhibiting the following symptoms: swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on one or both sides of the face, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite.