More Hudson Valley College Students Have the Mumps

The mumps outbreak at a local college continues to spread.

As of Tuesday, the SUNY New Paltz Student Health Service confirmed 13 cases of the mumps on campus. Several members of the college swim team and one athletics staff member have been inflicted, the colleges says.

“The affected students, who have been immunized against mumps, have been isolated for the recommended period of time,” Jack Ordway, M.D.
SUNY New Paltz Student Health Service director stated. “Student athletes and resident students, in particular, have been educated about how to reduce exposure to mumps. Immunizations work but are not 100% effective.”

20 students who haven't been immunized have been sent home until Dec. 3, which follows the Ulster County Health Department and the New York State Health Department guidelines, officials say.

In late Oct. SUNY New Paltz announced 9 members of the college swim team contacted the mumps.

The college has since canceled all SUNY New Paltz intercollegiate swim meets until 2017. Swim practices are cancelled until Nov. 28.

Mumps is caused by a respiratory virus. Symptoms include painful swelling of the salivary glands near the ears and under the jaw, fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and decreased appetite.

The transmission of mumps is through close contact, sharing of utensils, drinking glasses, and saliva contact.