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UD Mumps Outbreak Not Tied To Low Vaccination Rates

Wikimedia Commons User Namtrofk

9 students at the University of Dayton have confirmed cases of the mumps and another 23 have shown symptoms. All but one of those students was fully vaccinated against the infection.

 

Credit Wikimedia Commons User Namtrofk

AllUDstudents are required to receive theMMRvaccine, which protects against Mumps, Measles and Rubella, before starting classes -- unless a medical condition prevents them from getting it.

DonnaYoutz, the immunization coordinator with Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County, says the vaccine isn’t 100% percent effective.

“It’s about 88 percent effective if they get two doses," said Youtz. "And other than that we really don’t know why it’s not working as well as we had hoped.”

Yutz says high immunization rates help to contain the spread of the disease.

Mumps is viral infection that causes swelling of the glands, fever, and muscle aches. Outbreaks are more likely to occur is places where people are in close contact. Similar outbreaks have occurred recently at Ohio State, Fordham, and Harvard.

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April Laissle is a graduate of Ohio University and comes to WYSO from WOUB Public Media in Athens, Ohio where she worked as a weekend host and reporter. There, she reported on everything from food insecurity to 4-H chicken competitions. April interned at KQED Public Radio in San Francisco, where she focused on health reporting. She also worked on The Broad Experience, a New-York based podcast about women and workplace issues. In her spare time, April loves traveling, trying new recipes and binge-listening to podcasts. April is a Florida native and has been adjusting to Ohio weather since 2011.