MU prepares as mumps spread

By Jedd Rosche

Published May 2, 2006

MU officials are making plans to deal with an outbreak of mumps that has spread through the Midwest and into Boone County.

As of Monday afternoon, three Boone County residents were among the 74 Missourians infected with the respiratory illness. Susan Even, the director of the Student Health Center, said vaccines against the disease are still available, free of charge, to students.

Even said the chance of the disease spreading on a college campus is high because students are frequently in close contact with each other.

Humans spread the disease from droplets formed in the respiratory system, and the droplets can be spread through sneezing or coughing, Even said.

Even said that though serious complications from the mumps are rare, it can lead to other fatal diseases.

"Mumps can be as mild as a soreness of the throat or fever, but it's the complications that are potentially serious," Even said. "The virus can infect the spinal fluid causing viral meningitis."

Although Even said all students on the MU campus were required to have a vaccine to prevent measles, mumps and rubella — known as an MMR vaccine — even students who are up to date with their vaccines were still susceptible to the disease.

"In Iowa, even students that have had two MMR vaccines have gotten the disease," Even said.

Even said students should have received two shots, one at approximately 18 months old and one more before starting kindergarten.

She said, however, that only 85 percent of the MU population was up to date on vaccinations.

Even said the vaccination is available at the Student Health Center.

"The price is based on availability of the vaccine, and right now it is free to get the second MMR," Even said.

Even said that if more mumps outbreaks occurred, the health center might have to charge up to $50 for a vaccination.

Heather Baer, spokeswoman for the Boone County Health Department, said students would have to pay $45 for a vaccination at the health department's office on West Worley Street, but she said students should first seek care from the health center.

"If a student looks into getting a vaccination, they should contact the Student Health Center," Baer said. "The department does not have enough vaccinations for the entire community."

Baer said that because the disease was spread largely on college campuses, it would be the Student Health Center's responsibility to treat outbreaks and to vaccinate students on campus.

"From our standpoint, the public health standpoint, we should try and get immunizations to those who need them in the community," Baer said.

Residential Life Director Frankie Minor said he and his staff met with Even after first receiving word about the out breaks on college campuses in Iowa.

"We want to make sure our decisions are made on good medical information, not on rumors or scares," Minor said.

Minor said Residential Life has not adopted a universal policy to deal with the potential outbreak and any cases will be dealt with individually.

Minor said the Student Health Center informed his department that basic hygiene could fight the spread of mumps on campus.

"Most of these viruses are very fragile outside of the body," Minor said.

Even said that if students or faculty members think they have the disease, they should avoid going to class and remain at home.

"In the event that someone suspects mumps, we're asking that students stay at home first, then call Student Health for instructions," Even said. "Faculty or staff should call their doctor. This allows the health care clinic to be prepared."

Even said the Student Health Center was drafting an e-mail that would inform professors about the possibility of a student getting the mumps during finals week.

Even said the e-mail should be sent within the next several days.