Butler confirms 3 cases of mumps on campus
Butler University officials say three cases of mumps, a contagious disease caused by a virus, were found on its Indianapolis campus.
Butler University officials have confirmed that three cases of mumps, a contagious disease caused by a virus, were found on campus.
The three students have left campus and returned home, according to the university. The cases were identified Thursday and confirmed Friday evening.
Students who are exhibiting symptoms can go to Butler University Health Services from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. Symptoms, which appear 16 to 18 days after exposure, usually start with a fever. Other symptoms include headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears.
A person infected with the virus can spread it by coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing items and touching objects or surfaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease can be prevented with the MMR, or measles-mumps-rubella, vaccine, though it's not 100 percent effective.
Students are encouraged to call the health services at (317) 940-9385. They can also call the Indiana State Department of Health at (317) 373-2477.
Earlier this week, Indiana University confirmed two cases of mumps on its Bloomington campus. The university said the cases were identified two weeks apart.
Marion County health officials also are recommending that about 400 students, faculty and staff at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis be tested for tuberculosis, after they came into contact with a student recently diagnosed with the disease.
Call IndyStar reporter Kristine Guerra at (317) 444-6209. Follow her on Twitter: @kristine_guerra.