The Erie County Department of Health has identified probable and suspected cases of the mumps virus among a small number of UB students living off campus.

Although the risk to faculty and staff is very low, it is important that members of the university community understand what the virus is, how it’s transmitted and how UB and the local health department are handling the situation.  

UB and the Department of Health are working closely together to identify and interview all individuals who were in close, personal contact with these probable and suspected cases, and will continue to reach out to those individuals who have been directly exposed to the virus. As a precautionary measure, UB has issued a notification to all students, faculty and staff informing them of the situation and asking them to monitor their own health. 

Mumps is an acute viral illness characterized by fever, swelling and tenderness of salivary glands located just below the front of the ear, appearing 12-25 days following exposure. Mumps is spread by direct contact with nasal or throat secretions through coughing or sneezing by an infected individual.

Most persons in the community are immune to mumps. Individuals are considered immune if they have:

• Received two doses of mumps-containing vaccine (mumps vaccine or MMR).
• Had the mumps.
• Been born before 1957.
• Have shown positive serology results (blood titer is positive for immunity against mumps).

The county health department is recommending that individuals who do not fall into one of these categories receive an additional mumps vaccination (available as a MMR). Those who are unsure of their vaccination status or have questions or concerns should contact their health care provider.

Updates will be provided as needed; more information has been posted online and the site will be updated as more information becomes available.