Harvard Mumps Outbreak: Graduation Ceremony At Risk As More Students End Up In Isolation

Other than affecting many students, the Harvard mumps outbreak may put the anticipated Harvard graduation ceremony at risk. Forty students contracted the viral disease in a span of two months and more students end up in isolation.

The Daily Mail said that the slated May 26 graduation ceremonies might push through if the number of students in isolation does not increase. With the current trend, however, a contrary situation confronts the Harvard community.

There Was Prior Vaccination

Reports have it that those who contracted the disease were vaccinated against mumps, sowing confusion to the public health department. A spokeswoman from the health department, who seemed perplexed at the situation, said that they don't know of any other mumps outbreak cases except those found in Harvard University.

Paul J. Barreira, director of health services at Harvard University, said he is deeply concerned over the situation. The gravity can seriously affect the holding of the May 26 commencement exercises. Students should not be able to infect one another, lest they would have to be in isolation.

There have now been 40 confirmed cases of mumps at #Harvard. https://t.co/gPVJYsENGF pic.twitter.com/1agjus0GPf

— The Harvard Crimson (@thecrimson) April 26, 2016

Mumps Is Viral

According to CNN, mumps is a viral disease that cause swelling in the cheeks and salivary glands. Patients often suffer from jaw pain and ear ache when suffering from this condition. Fever, headache and muscle aches are also among the mumps symptoms.

Virus transmission can be airborne. One can contract the disease through respiratory droplets. Coming into contact with mucus or saliva of an infected person also exposes the person to the virus.

Although the university is doing its best to isolate infected persons, it seems that the number keeps on increasing. One thing that students can look forward to is that patients are known to recover.