The county Public Health Services Department Friday confirmed three cases of mumps, along with two probable ones, at San Diego State University.
The university’s Dr. Tanushree Ghosh said in a written statement that the five cases “are connected and within a student athletic team.”
“Importantly, the students are no longer considered contagious,” wrote Ghosh, the Student Health Services medical director.
She noted that Student Health Services “is working closely with our health partners at [county] PHS as part of our response efforts.”
“Out of an abundance of caution, the university, together with PHS, conducted detailed symptom-screening and testing for all members across the student athletic team, with regular screening ongoing,” Ghosh wrote.
She added that PHS is offering screening and vaccine clinics for students who were potential close contacts to those with mumps. “Information on the clinics will be sent directly to those identified as a close contact through PHS’s contact tracing efforts,” Ghosh wrote.
“Those who do not receive the separate outreach about the clinics have not been identified as a potential close contact.” Ghosh urged students or faculty with symptoms to “self-isolate and see a medical provider as soon as possible.”
Students may call 619-594-4325 or the Nurse Advice Line, for after-hours care, at 858-225-3105.
According to the county, the students first showed symptoms on Sept. 6, with the first case confirmed this week.
“PHS is collaborating with the California Department of Public Health and SDSU officials for management of the outbreak, including testing of known close contacts of people who are ill,” county officials said.
Mumps is a contagious viral illness that spreads easily in close- contact settings (usually within three feet), and “can spread through kissing, sharing food or drinks or exposure to coughs or sneezes,” according to a county statement. A person can be contagious for two days before symptoms appear and while they are ill.
“As with other diseases, people who are immune compromised or otherwise vulnerable face higher risk,” the county PHS added. Symptoms include SD appetite loss, body aches, fatigue, fever and headache, followed by inflammation or swelling of the salivary glands in the cheeks, ovaries or testicles.
The illness “can progress to infection in and around the brain,” county officials said, adding it can also cause female or male sterility.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine lowers the risk of complications.
More information is at the university’s SHS webpage or the California Department of Public Health’s website.
