From: Annie Stevens, Vice Provost for
Student Affairs
Michelle Paavola, Acting
Director, Student Health Services
Re: Potential Mumps Cases at UVM
We are awaiting Vermont Department of Health
lab results for five possible Mumps cases
involving undergraduate students.
As a precaution, UVM is taking steps to
isolate the affected students in their rooms
in the Living/Learning Complex. Students
must remain isolated in their rooms for five
days after the onset of swollen salivary
glands. Students are strongly encouraged to
avoid sharing items, such as cups or eating
utensils, with others, and touching objects
or surfaces with unwashed hands that are
then touched by others. The virus also may
spread through coughing, sneezing, or
talking in close proximity. The MMR vaccine
prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps
and complications caused by the disease.
Students who are concerned about symptoms
they are experiencing should contact Student
Health Services at 802-656-3350, especially
if they are experiencing swollen and tender
salivary glands. Student Health Services
will be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
and it will re-open for regular weekday
hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday) on
Monday. The On-call Service will handle
calls after hours. Residential Life staff
will support students within the residence
halls as necessary.
Faculty and staff should see their health
care provider if they are experiencing
symptoms.
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a
virus that affects the salivary glands. The
most common symptoms include fever,
headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of
appetite, and swollen and tender salivary
glands under the ears on one or both sides.
Some people who get mumps have very mild or
no symptoms, and often they do not know they
have the disease.
While most people with Mumps recover
completely in a few weeks, according to the
CDC, Mumps can occasionally cause
complications, especially in adults.
According to the CDC, Mumps outbreaks can
still occur in highly vaccinated U.S.
communities, particularly in close-contact
settings. However, high vaccination coverage
helps limit the size, duration, and spread
of mumps outbreaks. UVM's best practice
requires proof of MMR vaccination for
enrolling undergraduate students.
In the event lab results confirm Mumps
cases, more information about additional
steps for self-care and additional
strategies we will take to limit the spread
of the virus will follow.
