Since our last update, we continue to see a small number of students diagnosed with mumps. We remind you that mumps is transmitted by contact with respiratory secretions or saliva droplets. Regular hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes may reduce the spread of mumps along with avoidance of sharing drinks and utensils. This is especially important since people infected with mumps are able to pass the illness to others 2-3 days before becoming symptomatic. The average incubation period for mumps is 18 days. We will continue to work closely with the Maine CDC and follow their guidelines.

Anyone developing  of mumps should visit their healthcare provider.  ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ students may visit ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Health Services when school is in session and , open 9am to 9pm daily.

Cindy Visbaras
Associate Director for Student Health Support

Since our last update a few weeks ago, Health Services has diagnosed additional student cases of the mumps. After being diagnosed, these students have been isolated until they are no longer contagious. This remains a relatively small group of students.

We continue to coordinate closely with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and are following their directions and recommendations to manage and resolve this situation. As we shared previously, transmission requires contact with respiratory secretions or saliva droplets. As such, we ask that you be particularly attentive to taking necessary precautions (i.e. regular and thorough washing of hands, not sharing drinks or utensils, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing).

If you develop , you should visit a healthcare provider. For students, you may visit ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Health Services. For faculty and staff, is prepared to see you.

Sincerely,

Paige Picard, DO
Medical Director
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Health Services/Central Maine Medical Center

Cindy Visbaras, BSN, MEd
Associate Director for Student Health Support
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Health Services

Late this afternoon, Health Services confirmed three student cases of mumps on campus.

We are working closely with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to establish an appropriate response. In the meantime, we wanted to provide you with some information about mumps.

Mumps is a contagious disease, but there is no cause for alarm.

The vast majority of people are typically vaccinated in early childhood and the vaccine is effective in preventing the virus in the majority of cases. Further, ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ students are expected to maintain current mumps immunizations. It is likely that you have immunity based on your past vaccinations, but given the current situation you should be aware of the following symptoms.

Symptoms: Mumps is a virus infection which most often causes a flu-like illness with:

• Fever
• Headache
• Body aches
• Pain and swelling of the salivary glands at the angle of the jaw (the parotid glands). This gland swelling is a classic part of the disease. It usually resolves within one to two weeks.

Symptoms most often present within 12 to 25 days after exposure (more likely 16-18 days after exposure). Mumps is a virus and most people recover completely within a few weeks.

Transmission: Transmission requires contact with respiratory secretions or saliva droplets through activities like kissing or sharing of glasses or utensils. Please avoid these activities.

Treatment: Mumps is a virus treated with rest, fluids and pain relievers/fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. More serious symptoms of the mumps are rare. More information from the Maine CDC about the mumps can be found .

Please watch closely for any symptoms. Students should contact Health Services immediately if they have signs of this infection. There is no reason for a visit to a doctor or for a test for those who have no symptoms.

If you are not certain that you have been vaccinated, you should contact your primary care physician. For those that have not been vaccinated, we have confirmed that is prepared to provide you with the vaccination. If you choose to go to the CMMC Urgent Care, please inform the reception-staff that you are a ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ student or employee and are in need of a Mumps vaccination. The Urgent Care can also draw your blood and send it out for testing to determine your level of immunity; however please understand that it may take a couple of days to get the results. Normal insurance billing for the vaccination or blood work will apply. There will be a $78 fee for the vaccination and normal insurance billing for blood work will apply.

You may find this link to helpful. Please contact Health Services at 207-786-6199 with any additional questions.

Sincerely,
Paige Pickard, DO
Medical Director
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Health Services/Central Maine Medical Center

Cindy Visbaras, RN
Associate Director for Student Health Support
ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Health Services