(BLOOMINGTON) – The number of confirmed cases of the mumps continues to rise on the Indiana University campus.
Health and university officials said Monday afternoon the outbreak has grown to 20 students, but no student has experienced major medical complications from the virus.
Those numbers are expected to rise as other tests are underway. One university spokesperson said the state’s testing lab was closed at the end of last week due to Good Friday.
Indiana law says students are required to show proof of vaccine by the end of their first semester, but people can still get mumps even with the vaccines. The CDC says experts aren’t exactly sure why that is.
It’s not the first or largest outbreak the university has seen in recent years. The university had 74 cases during an outbreak in 2016 and 17 cases during a 2017 outbreak. Zero students came down with mumps in 2018.
Free vaccines are available for anyone who has had close contact with infected students.
According to IU officials, the first two students diagnosed with mumps are roommates living in off-campus housing. Nine of the infected students are associated with a fraternity, but officials have not said which one.
Indiana is among the top 10 infected states so far this year.
Mumps symptoms include swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle aches and loss of appetite. The CDC says most people with mumps recover within two weeks.
