INFORMATION ABOUT MULTI-STATE MUMPS OUTBREAK
By: Mary Bengtson, M.D., Medical Director, NC State Student Health Services
(Updated June 13, 2006)
You may be aware of a multi-state mumps outbreak that began in December 2005. The majority of cases have been in Iowa among persons 18-25 years of age, many of whom are vaccinated against mumps, with additional cases in at least 8 neighboring states. To date there have been no suspected or confirmed cases of mumps at NC State Student Health.

The outbreak led to a May 2006 update in recommendations for mumps vaccination by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated recommendation is that college students receive two doses of MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) vaccine.

Many students arriving at NC State have already had two MMR doses when meeting the State requirement for two doses of measles vaccine. Those who had an MR (measles/rubella) rather than an MMR to meet the second measles vaccine requirement should consider seeing their healthcare provider to receive an additional MMR to lessen the risk of contracting mumps. The effectiveness of MMR against mumps is approximately 80% after one dose and approximately 90% after two doses. Because the vaccine is not 100% effective, some cases can occur in vaccinated persons. Remember that the second mumps vaccination is an ACIP recommendation and not a requirement for admission to NC State.

Listed below are websites to read more about immunization requirements for college, as well as information about mumps symptoms, control, and prevention. Material written prior to May 2006 may not reflect the updated ACIP mumps recommendations. A link to The Joint Statement from the American College Health Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) appears below.

NC Department of Health and Human Services

American College Health Association

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

State Public Health Directory