Mumps Cases Reported At UConn, Hospital Of Central CT

STORRS, CT — There are at least six confirmed cases of mumps in Connecticut after people contracted the illness at the University of Connecticut main campus and the Hospital of Central Connecticut. There were three cases at UConn's Storrs campus during the fall semester and three cases of employees catching the virus at the hospital recently.

The UConn cases posed "no increased risk" for students at the regional campuses, UConn Law or UConn Health, school officials said.

The Hospital of Central Connecticut is offering its emergency room workers a third dose of the mumps vaccine, according to WFSB. All hospital staff already have had at least two rounds of the vaccine. The hospital is reaching out to patients who were treated between Dec. 14 and 22.

It is believed the staff members at the hospital were exposed to the virus sometime between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3, according to WTNH.

Mumps is a viral infection that is spread through infected respiratory droplets, like sneezing or coughing. The infection is not usually dangerous, but can be painful. Typical signs and symptoms of mumps are swelling of the face/cheek/jaw (parotitis), jaw pain, headache, and/or low grade fever. Treatment is focused on symptom management. Complications are rare but can be serious.

Click here for more information about the mumps virus.

UConn officials said that, in order to attend classes, all students are required to have two doses of the MMR vaccine, which provides protection against the mumps virus.

About 98 percent UConn's undergraduate students are fully vaccinated, but those who received two doses of vaccine can still become infected, especially students who are in frequent contact with other students in residence halls, sports teams, or activity groups, officials said.

A third dose of the MMR vaccine is therefore recommended for students determined to be at higher risk for developing mumps, school officials said. UConn Student Health and Wellness staffers will be reaching out to students who are deemed as being high risk based on their potential contact with other infected students, officials said.

For students who are not at high risk, a third dose is not necessary, officials said.

Students with signs and symptoms consistent with possible mumps have been advised to seek care at the campus Student Health and Wellness center, or from a primary care provider if they have returned home for winter break, officials said.

Additional reporting by Rich Scinto, Patch Staff