Campus Health Services on high alert after 2 students may have contracted mumps

Two students might have contracted the mumps, putting UNC Campus Health Services on alert against the contagious disease.

The two students first reported their symptoms last week to Campus Health Services, wrote Sue Rankin, communicable disease coordinator for the Orange County Health Department, in an email.

The Orange County Health Department was then contacted as part of routine procedure, she said.

Though the two students might not be infected, Campus Health officials won’t know until lab test results come in, said Dr. Mary Covington, executive director.

Meanwhile, Campus Health Services has taken precautions that include isolating the two students, Rankin said.

Officials also sent out a campus-wide email.

Symptoms of mumps include fever, nausea and swollen glands, and it can spread through sharing drinks or silverware, coughing and sneezing.

While the virus is typically not serious for children, it can be dangerous for adults. Mumps can lead to miscarriages for women in the first trimester of pregnancy and testicular inflammation for men who have completed puberty.

If infected, the two students would have been contagious from April 2 to 9. The incubation period is typically 16 to 18 days, but can last up to 25 days.

Students are required to have certain immunizations before attending UNC, including two doses for mumps, Covington said.

The first dose causes a 90 percent immunity, and adding the second provides 98 percent immunity, she said.

“There’s always going to be a small percentage of folks that don’t respond,” Covington said.

She said the state requirement for two doses came in response to an outbreak on college campuses in 2006 and 2008. The two-dose requirement began for incoming students in July 2008.

Covington stressed that although the cases are not confirmed, students should still pay close attention for symptoms.

Rankin said UNC students should review their immunization history and go to Campus Health Services immediately if they observe symptoms.

“Students have been made aware of the symptoms of mumps and instructed to isolate themselves and contact Campus Health or the Health Department immediately if symptoms develop,” she said.

Freshman Crystal Austell said she received an email that someone in one of her classes is one of the suspected cases.

But she said she hasn’t heard of anyone concerned about the issue.
“I’m not worried about it and I don’t know of anybody else that has voiced their opinion about it,” she said.

“I don’t know if that’s because of an apathetic attitude or a lack of knowledge.”

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