Update Regarding Possible Mumps Cases

Update from April 16:  The Parent Programs office received the following email from Cecil Price, Director of the Student Health Service, about the possible mumps cases:

“Last week I received information from Chris Ohl (MD) of Wake Forest Infectious Diseases who had been in contact with the Forsyth County Health Department as well as the NC Department of Public Health.  Additional testing was done on the two students of concern. Based upon the results of these tests, Dr. Ohl stated that he does not believe their illnesses were caused by mumps virus and, with the support of the NC Department of Public Health, has stated that no further action is necessary on the part of the University, Student Health, or the Forsyth County Health Department.”

———————–

The following message was sent to students this afternoon from Communications and External Relations.

———————–

Dear Students,

On April 7, two Wake Forest undergraduates were given a possible diagnosis of mumps, a generally short-term illness caused by a virus. Infectious disease experts from the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and the N.C. Department of Public Health are doing additional testing to clarify the diagnosis. Both are recovering, as expected, while isolated. One is staying in his residence hall room, while another is staying off campus temporarily. The students are residents of adjacent rooms in the same residence hall.

Since mumps is spread in a similar fashion as influenza, the University is contacting various groups of students who have been exposed to the diagnosed students since last week. Those to be contacted include students who have been in class with them, a particular fraternity in which one of the two students is a member, students who live on their wing of a residence hall and at-risk students (those who have not been immunized). The University is also contacting faculty who have the diagnosed students in their classes.

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps. It prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps. The vaccine is required of all students when they are enrolled in public or private colleges and universities in North Carolina.

Symptoms of mumps include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen, tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on one or both sides of the face.

In otherwise healthy students, the immune system will clear mumps infection in about five to seven days. The diagnosed students are remaining isolated from the general student population for five days from the onset of their symptoms, which is routinely recommended by public health officials.

Mumps is spread by “droplet secretions.”  Limiting contact with individuals who have mumps and avoiding eating or drinking behind someone with mumps helps to prevent spread of the virus. The University’s housekeeping staff is also disinfecting particular areas and surfaces in the wing of the residence hall where the diagnosed students reside. Surfaces can be cleaned with soap or household detergents and water, while sanitizing wipes are also effective.

The Wake Forest Student Health Service is consulting with the Forsyth County Health Department and infectious disease specialists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center at this time as it develops University responses to the diagnosis of the two students.

The Student Health Service recommends that students with mumps symptoms go its office in Reynolds Gym for evaluation.  Students who go are asked to inform the nurse or reception staff that they have symptoms of mumps. The phone number at the Student Health Service is 336-758-5218.  Students may call that number if they have any questions about mumps.

Students who have questions about their immunization status may contact the Student Health Service.  All Wake Forest students are required to be immunized against mumps at the time of enrollment.

Following is a link to information on mumps at the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/about/mumps-facts.html.

Wake Forest Communications and External Relations