IU Now Reports 17 Cases of Mumps on Bloomington Campus, Most Were Vaccinated

WITZ Radio News is an affiliate of Network Indiana 

BLOOMINGTON -- Indiana University in Bloomington is trying to contain a mumps outbreak. University spokesperson Chuck Carney says while it's a relatively small outbreak, the school is taking all precautions.

Seventeen cases of mumps were confirmed at the school this month and nine of those cases are linked to one fraternity. Carney says the county health department set up a clinic in that fraternity and more than half received additional booster vaccines.

Mumps is a rare viral infection that causes painful swelling in the salivary glands. It can spread easilly through saliva, coughing and sneezing, or touching a contaminated surface.

IU health managers say at least 14 of those 17 students who came down with mumps were vaccinated.