Mumps alert on Fort Garry campus

The following message has been issued by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA).

There have been a number of students at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus recently diagnosed with Mumps.

Mumps is spread by direct contact with the saliva of an infected person (e.g., from coughing, sneezing, sharing drinks (e.g. water bottles) or kissing). It could take up to 25 days after your last exposure before you develop symptoms.

What are the signs and symptoms of mumps?

Mumps often starts with cold-like symptoms:

• Swollen and tender glands at the jaw line on one or both sides of the face.
• Fever.
• Headache and muscle aches

What should you do?

1. If you develop symptoms or signs suggestive of Mumps, limit contact with others and contact your health care provider. Phone ahead to alert the clinic that you suspect you may have mumps so that they can take adequate precautions to prevent spread to others
2. While awaiting diagnosis, you should limit contact with others until 5 days after the swollen glands first appear
3. Check your immunization records to see if you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. You can contact your health care provider or public health office for assistance in accessing your records.
4. If you have not had two doses of MMR vaccine then you should either arrange for vaccination with your health care provider or contact your local public health office a to receive an immunization.

For further information please see the Manitoba Health website.

The province also released an update on Oct. 20 on its website.

Frequently asked questions – information from University Health Service
There have been a number of students recently diagnosed with Mumps at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

What is Mumps?
Mumps is infection caused by the Mumps Virus. Manitoba typically experiences 4-5 cases of mumps each year.

How is Mumps spread?
Mumps is spread easily from person to person by direct contact with fluids from the mouth and nose of an infected person.

Examples of how it can be spread include:

coughing or sneezing within a few feet of another person;
sharing food, utensils or drinks (ex: water bottles);
sharing things like lip gloss, cosmetics or cigarettes;
by touching objects that were recently exposed to infected mucus or saliva and then rubbing your eyes, mouth or nose;
kissing.
Individuals that live or interact with each other in close quarters on a regular basis are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus and therefore it is very important to take the simple steps outlined below to prevent the spread.

What are the signs and symptoms of mumps?
cold-like symptoms;
swollen and tender salivary glands on one or both sides of the face;
fever;
headache and muscle aches.
Less common symptoms include swollen and tender testicles in teenage and adult males.

Prevention is important because the mumps virus can be spread two days before symptoms appear and four to five days after they appear. Some people infected with mumps may have no symptoms at all, but can still spread the virus to others.

Why is Mumps a concern?
Although symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own, in rare cases mumps can cause more serious complications.

How is it treated?
There is no specific treatment. Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. Because mumps is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not given.

What should I do to prevent getting mumps?
1. Check your immunization records to see if you have had two doses of the MMR vaccine. You can contact your health care provider or public health office for assistance in accessing your records.

2. If you have not had two doses of MMR vaccine then you should either arrange for vaccination with your health care provider or contact your local public health office a to receive an immunization. In Manitoba, protection against mumps is offered free-of-charge for those who are eligible.

3. Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, cover your mouth with a tissue or your shirtsleeve when you cough or sneeze, and avoid sharing personal items. These are all very important steps in preventing the spread of the virus.

4. Stay home when you are sick.

What do I do if I think that I have Mumps?
1. If you develop symptoms or signs suggestive of Mumps, limit contact with others and contact University Health Service (contact info below) or your health care provider. Phone ahead to alert the clinic that you suspect you may have mumps so that they can take adequate precautions to prevent spread to others.

2. While awaiting diagnosis, you should limit contact with others until 5 days after the swollen glands first appear. Please stay home! Do not attend work or school.

I was told I have Mumps. What do I do now?
Do not attend class for 5 days after the onset of symptoms;
Do not go to work for 5 days after the onset of symptoms;
Do not participate in group or social activities, including activities like going to the gym or the library for 5 days after the onset of symptoms;
Avoid close contact with others until five days after the onset of symptoms.

For further information please see:

Manitoba Health website: gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/diseases/mumps.html

Health Links 24-hour phone line at 204-788-8200 or toll-free 1-888-315-9257 or visit wrha.mb.ca/healthinfo/healthlinks/ with any questions or concerns.

University of Manitoba Health and Wellness Educator, Katie Kutryk, for information at 204-295-9032 (katie [dot] kutryk [at] umanitoba [dot] ca) or visit umanitoba.ca/student/health-wellness

To access health care on campus, contact:

University Health Service, 105 University Centre, 204-474-8411.
umanitoba.ca/student/health/uhs_appointments.html