The College of Charleston Emergency Management Team is providing you the most up-to-date information surrounding the ongoing mumps outbreak on campus. As of October 23, 2019, two new mumps cases have been confirmed this past week. Per S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control guidelines, College health officials have notified the close contacts of people confirmed to have the virus.
At present, there are a total of 11 reported cases of mumps at the College of Charleston.
The College of Charleston remains on its normal operating schedule and will not change its class and activity schedule, regardless of the number of positive mumps cases. To be clear, there is no scenario under which the College would close campus due to this outbreak.
As communicated previously, if you have had close contact with someone symptomatic with the mumps, monitor yourself for any possible symptoms. If you have never received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the recommendation is to receive the full two-dose MMR series. For those who have not received the MMR vaccine, please visit a local pharmacy, urgent care facility or primary care physician. Students, once the vaccination is given, please bring a copy of the record to Student Health Services. The vaccine will not prevent infection if you have already been exposed, but will protect you from future exposure.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR STUDENTS
The College’s Student Health Services is still processing vaccination records. For those students whose documentation is not on file or up to date with the College, please upload your immunization records electronically using the College’s Medicat system. This is the same system that students use for scheduling appointments in the College’s Student Health Center.
Especially as students and campus community members approach a holiday weekend, it remains important to be aware of the symptoms and take steps to keep our community healthy.
To avoid spreading mumps and other respiratory viruses, please:
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; use your upper sleeve to cover your cough, not your hand.
- Avoid sharing food, drinks, and items such as eating utensils, cigarettes or vaping devices.
- Avoid participating in any activities that may result in saliva exposure.
The College has created a regularly updated FAQ as an additional resource.