A study released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports two mumps vaccinations may be insufficient for preventing the disease. 

The study looked at data from college campuses from Kansas to Virginia showing 83 percent of mumps cases occurred among college students and 84 percent of those students had received two mumps vaccinations.

The CDC study analyzed the outbreak and potential factors leading up to it. From 2000 to 2005, there were few cases of mumps, but in only a few months in 2006, there were close to 3,000 cases. 

Prior to enrollment at University of Wisconsin, all incoming freshmen receive a notification from University Health Services informing them they must be immunized with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

Until now, it was believed that two doses of the MMR vaccine in early childhood would provide lifelong immunization from the diseases. While mumps rarely results in death, it is very contagious and can be debilitating. 

Characterized by flu-like symptoms, swollen salivary glands and testicular swelling in men that can lead to impotence, mumps can leave the infected in bed rest for at least nine days after the onset of symptoms.

According to the UHS website on communicable diseases, mumps is spread through saliva in coughing, sneezing or the sharing of food or drink. For college students living in close proximity, this disease can spread quickly.

According to Craig Roberts, epidemiologist for UHS, mumps is contagious from three days before the onset of symptoms to nine days after. 

“If any student experiences these symptoms it is important he or she report to UHS immediately for testing,” he said. 

Due to past outbreaks prevalent in the Midwest between March and May, Roberts said UHS needs to treat and document these new cases to prevent campuswide illness. 

He added the illness is easily verifiable through a saliva, urine or blood sample and can be confirmed in a short time.

While Roberts said he is still very much in favor of the MMR vaccination, he added simply having a third shot of the vaccine is not the answer because another dose of the same vaccine would have little effect.

Mary Makarushka, communications manager for UHS, said many people are under the impression mumps is all but a dead disease. 

Roberts added students’ knowledge of the disease and proactive approach to any illness is necessary to prevent the spread.

He said he agrees with the conclusion of the study conducted by the CDC, saying “changes in the vaccine strength and when it is administered are necessary in order to control mumps outbreaks.”