The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Mumps alert gone citywide, no cases confirmed

By By Jenna Duncan, News Staff

Thursday, a Campus Health Alert was issued to notify students about a suspected outbreak of the mumps after four students had recently shown signs of the disease.’

The four have had preliminary tests and thus far the results have been negative. However, they have undergone more extensive testing and results will be available next week, according to the notice.

‘All four students have been vaccinated against mumps and, thus far, all lab tests are negative,’ the first of four releases stated.

Two of the students recently traveled to Ireland, where there is currently a mumps outbreak, according to the Boston Public Health Commission’s release.’

The alert has now gone citywide, though as of press time no other suspected cases had been reported.

‘University and Health Counseling Services is working closely with the state and city public health officials to make sure members of the community are informed and safe,’ the second release stated.

On the emergency website, the university has released a mumps fact sheet to let students and faculty know the exact symptoms as well as the risks and how to get vaccinated.’

Additionally, last night an e-mail was sent out to approximately 500 students who are likely to have been in contact with the four affected students, the emergency website said.’ The message was sent to those in classes with the four students because the virus can be transmitted by the infected person sneezing, coughing or talking.’

For additional updates, check www.northeastern.edu/emergency.

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