As of Nov. 8, 13 students at the State University of New York's New Paltz campus have been diagnosed with the mumps.
Infected students were isolated to limit further transmission. Twenty students who have not been immunized for the mumps were sent home until Dec. 3.
"All SUNY New Paltz students are required to provide documentation of two measles, one rubella and one mumps immunization or provide documentation of a religious or other exemption," said Jack Ordway, MD, the director of student health services. "According to the New York State Health Department, students enrolled in less than six credits do not need to provide immunization records. However, we encourage students to confirm their immunizations with their healthcare provider."
Mumps is highly contagious and spread by coughing, sneezing and close contact with an infected individual. The viral disease incites fever, headache, earache and salivary gland inflammation.
According to the CDC, two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine are 88 percent effective at preventing the mumps.
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