WASHINGTON — George Washington University says two ill students on campus are confirmed to have the mumps.
The university’s Colonial Health Center has isolated the students per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has reached out to other students who may have been in contact with the two sick students, the university said in an April 11 campus advisory.
The contagious viral disease, which is spread through direct contact with the saliva or mucus of other infected people, is no longer considered common in the U.S., according to the CDC, but outbreaks still happen. There were about 5,000 reported cases last year.
Most people are protected against the mumps through the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. Rarely, vaccinated people can develop symptoms.
The students were up-to-date on their vaccinations against mumps, the university said in the advisory.
Symptoms of the mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands.
Students who think they may have symptoms are encouraged to call Colonial Health Center at 202-994-5300.
In February, a GWU graduate student was diagnosed with mumps.
