Alert sent after mumps case on college campus

ROCK HILL, S.C. — Students heading home from Winthrop University are being asked to keep an eye on their health during the holiday break.

A campus wide alert went out Wednesday, following the discovery of a case of mumps on campus.

Final exams ended Tuesday so Winthrop is like a ghost town with few students around.

Officials are concerned that someone who does become ill, will do so at home, possibly infecting family members.

Lauren Wright is a graduate assistant who was still working on campus Thursday afternoon.

"It's a little worrisome to think that we could've been exposed to it," she said. "This morning we had the Lysol wipes out and we were wiping down the door handles and keyboards and things like that just to try to be a little safe."

The Department of Health and Environmental Control notice sent to Winthrop was then forwarded to all students and staff.

It stated that anyone on campus between Dec. 8-14 could have been exposed to the mumps virus.

Mumps is spread through saliva or mucus from mouth, nose or throat, by coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing or sharing food or drinks, as well as touching surfaces others touch.

Symptoms include swelling of salivary glands followed by fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.

Symptoms are usually minor, and some don't ever realize they have it.

It often clears up in a few weeks.

Another grad student, Lynn Ndaro, told Channel 9 it didn't worry her.

"I wasn't really alarmed because the fact that I know I have the vaccine, and I don't stay on campus," she said.

DHEC officials said the MMR vaccine is 88 percent effective when the required two doses are given.  However, there is still a risk of contracting the virus.

Winthrop officials did not release an official statement, but did urge students and faculty to read the DHEC notice, and be alert to any symptoms.

Channel 9 contacted DHEC Thursday for more information on this mumps case.

They wouldn't say if it was a male or female, or even if it's a student, citing federal privacy laws.

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