IU sent a public safety advisory email to the campus community Thursday confirming a seventh case of mumps on the campus.
The first two cases of mumps were confirmed Feb. 21. The patients were roommates, IU spokesperson Chuck Carney said. He said most of the confirmed cases since Feb. 21 have been in close contact with each other.
The seventh student infected with mumps is in the same fraternity as two members who had previously been diagnosed, Carney said. Two of the three students live in the fraternity house.
Carney suggested students practice good hygiene to avoid the spread of the infection. He said people should avoid sharing drinks and utensils, and they should cover their coughs and sneezes.
The Indiana State Department of Health said the cases are not widespread enough to issue a campus-wide clinic, Carney said.
However, a vaccination clinic was offered at the fraternity last week for students who may have been in close contact with the members who had been earlier diagnosed, he said.
Mumps is an infection that can cause swelling in the salivary glands, according to Mayo Clinic’s website. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite.
Symptoms can appear 12 to 25 days after infection, according to IU’s public safety advisory email. People with mumps may be infected from two days before until five days after the symptoms begin to appear. Some people may not have symptoms.
