Number of mumps cases tied to outbreak at Midland U has doubled, HHS says

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/number-of-mumps-cases-tied-to-outbreak-at-midland-u/article_31a1a734-2783-11e6-875f-c34e8d4e703d.html

Posted: Tuesday, May 31, 2016 5:58 pm | Updated: 6:04 pm, Tue May 31, 2016.
From staff reports

The number of mumps cases connected to an outbreak at Midland University has doubled, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday.

The agency said May 20 that 10 cases of mumps had been reported among students and warned that the outbreak could spread as students return home for summer break.

Tuesday, HHS said the number of cases had grown to 21 in the outbreak that began in mid-April. New cases have been reported by Cass, Douglas, Dodge, Hall, Madison and Platte Counties in the past week, HHS said. The agency is working with the local health departments involved to investigate the cases.

The effectiveness of the mumps component of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine can wane over time.

FULL story at link.

[Journeyman]

1. I wonder why, just as incoming kindergarten students need to have all their vaccines . . .

the same isn't required of college students when they apply to live in their dorms. This is a time when most of these young people will be in closest contact with others since they were in kindergarten, so making certain everyone's boosters are up-to-date seems appropriate.

But what do I know? The military made certain my shots were all current, and I've been personally diligent ever since.

[Omaha Steve]

2. “The university requires immunization and has worked closely with health officials to ensure...

You didn't miss it. It was in an earlier this month story.

http://www.livewellnebraska.com/health/sickened-by-mumps-at-midland-university/article_14dedef6-1e95-11e6-a0be-ebfbd58b8469.html

Snip: Midland University is aware of the reported cases, said Nate Neufind, vice president for communications.

“The university requires immunization and has worked closely with health officials to ensure the well-being of the students involved,” Neufind said in a statement Friday.

The effectiveness of the mumps component of the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine can wane over time, the health advisory said.

The Midland students involved in the outbreak had received the two standard doses of the vaccine on schedule.

FULL story at link.

[Journeyman]

3. Thanks, Steve. My wife and were discussing this and she thought they must require this . . .