Miami, Florida – The University of Florida confirmed on Tuesday that 24 cases of mumps have been registered among students at its campus in Gainesville (north Florida) and that everyone affected was vaccinated against the contagious disease.
Local media indicated that one of the center’s admission requirements is to have received the MMR vaccine in English, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
So far this year 37 cases of mumps have been reported in Florida, a disease with little incidence since the MMR vaccination program was adopted throughout the country in 1989.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,002 cases of mumps in 42 states and the District of Columbia have been registered from January 1 to May 24, 2019.
The CDC indicates that it is possible to get mumps even when vaccinated, although in this case the symptoms are usually milder.
This circumstance occurs especially when people coexist closely, as is the case of universities and other educational centers.
For additional protection, a third dose of the MMR vaccine is recommended. The first two apply between 12 and 15 months of life and the second between 4 and 6 years.
Mumps is a viral infection that mainly affects the salivary glands, which become inflamed after the onset of flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite. (EFEUSA)
