Officials with the Tarrant County Public Health Department say more mumps cases have been confirmed among individuals at Texas Christian University.
The public health department did not say how many mumps cases have been confirmed, but they did say they do not release exact case numbers when the number of cases is fewer than five.
A mumps case was identified in the TCU community earlier this month. Since that time the school has been working with the Tarrant County Public Health Department to identify and contact other students who may have been exposed.
"TCPH is actively working with school officials to trace possible contacts, assess immune status and offer immunizations for those who have not completed their MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine series. An additional dose of MMR vaccine is also being offered to those who have previously received a MMR vaccine series but are at an increased risk of acquiring mumps due to recent exposure," the TCPHD said Monday.
Mumps cause your salivary glands to swell up, which can be painful, but can cause deafness and, very rarely, dangerous encephalitis or swelling of the brain.
Mumps is spread through saliva, which is why college kids are the ones most vulnerable. They often times share drinks and silverware and live in close quarters.
It can take two to three weeks, even longer, for symptoms to develop, but you're most contagious in the days before and right after your salivary glands swell up, according to Dr. Clinton Haley with Baylor Scott and White.
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Most people with mumps will typically recover completely in a few weeks.
"TCPH would like to remind residents that mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease. The standard practice of receiving two vaccines helps protect individuals and the community against mumps. Those who have not been immunized against mumps should contact their healthcare provider to receive an MMR vaccine," TCPHD said.
