A mumps outbreak that began at Midland University in Fremont, Neb., has spread to new areas of the state as most students have returned home for the summer. The number of confirmed cases in the state recently jumped from 10 to 21, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
"Mumps is an illness caused by a highly contagious virus and this outbreak is ongoing with potential for further spread," said Tom Safranek, MD, an epidemiologist with DHHS. "If people start experiencing mumps-like symptoms, they should contact their healthcare provider, and healthcare providers should be on the lookout for mumps cases."
The mumps made a resurgence on college campuses in the spring semester of 2016, most prominently at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., where nearly 60 confirmed cases threatened to impede commencement ceremonies.
Learn more about the mumps here.
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