The Kentucky Department for Public Health is telling parents of college students to make sure their child is up-to-date on their vaccination for mumps, an infectious disease that has been reported at Kentucky universities recently.
Health officials say recent cases at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville show the importance of vaccines for college-age children. Officials encourage college students and their parents to check their vaccination records and ensure they are up-to-date on the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
Crowded environments, such as college classes, organized sports, or dorms, are a major contributing factor to the spread of mumps.
Mumps is primarily known for swelling of glands, which results in puffy cheeks and swollen jaws. Other common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Some people who get mumps have very mild or no symptoms. Health officials say serious complications can occur in children and adults who have an active infection. These complications include deafness, meningitis, and inflammation of the reproductive organs.
The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps. Increased vaccination rates help limit the size, duration, and the spread of mumps.
In Indiana, 1,600 Butler University students, faculty, and staff received mumps vaccine after nine cases of the virus have been reported on campus.
Source: WBKO
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