PLATTSBURGH — An outbreak of the mumps has hit Plattsburgh State.
Three cases of students with mumps have been confirmed so far, with three more pending.
As a result, more than 200 students may not be able to return to campus unless they are fully vaccinated.
“What we are trying to do is avert a mumps epidemic and avert a fourth case of the mumps,” said Dr. Kathleen Camelo, director of the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services.
Mumps is a viral disease characterized by fever, headache, muscle weakness, stiff neck, loss of appetite, swelling and tenderness of one or more of the salivary glands located along the angle of the jaw and inside the mouth.
Plattsburgh State learned March 8 that two students tested positive for mumps. On March 12, the university learned of a third confirmed case just as students were leaving for spring break.
The suspected cases must be isolated for five days.
“We take them out of the population,” Camelo said.
College officials issued an e-mail to students, faculty and staff notifying them of the three cases, which constitutes an outbreak.
Camelo’s office then investigated which students fell under high-risk categories, either by not receiving a vaccination due to a religious or medical exemption or those who received only one dose.
“This morning we went on a telephone campaign,” Camelo said Monday.
Plattsburgh State contacted about 250 students who were at risk, roughly 31 of whom have never been vaccinated for mumps.
“The New York State Health Department recommends that students who have not received two mumps vaccinations be excluded from the campus until they can provide information documenting vaccination or get vaccinated,” Camelo said.
Students who fail to receive a vaccination could be excluded from campus 26 days after the last confirmed case of mumps.
Camelo said an outbreak was rare.
“In my 16 years here, I have never been in an outbreak situation.”
There have been recent mumps’ outbreaks in Canada and New York City, said Darwyna Facteau, supervising public-health nurse from the Health Services Unit of the Clinton County Health Department.
She said the state Health Department is working to determine the origin of the current mumps outbreak at Plattsburgh State, which occurred throughout the campus and not a central location.
“We have notified all providers in the community that there have been some cases and told the hospital to watch for signs,” Facteau said.
She didn’t think people needed to stay away from campus since it is a respiratory illness and is spread through close contact.
The disease is transmitted by direct contact with saliva and discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
“It helps immensely that the students are on spring break,” Facteau said.
The university continues to institute hygiene practices on campus that decrease the chances of H1N1 spreading, which would also be employed for mumps.
“We are in the process of finalizing clinics on campus,” Camelo said. “If people come to our center we will vaccinate them.”
Clinton County Health Department is holding a free clinic for Plattsburgh State students and staff who have received only one mumps or MMR vaccination or who have never received any vaccination on Wednesday. Those interested should call 565-4848.
Emily Higgins, a freshman at Plattsburgh State, didn’t seem too concerned.
“I’ve been vaccinated,” she said.
E-mail Stephen Bartlett at:
sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Dr. Kathleen Cameo, director of the Center for Student Health and Psychological Services at Plattsburgh State, announces a mumps outbreak at the college during a news conference Monday. The Clinton County Department of Health has ordered the college to exclude students who are vulnerable to the disease. (Staff Photo/Kelli Catana)
Discussion
ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.
Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
Outbreak of mumps reported at Plattsburgh State
- Breaking News
-
-
Surplus funds keep After-School Program alive
The Moriah and Willsboro sites run by Adirondack Community Action Programs is not closing after all.
-
Montreal woman dies in Westport crash
Angela Pierre, 69, was ejected from the vehicle when its driver lost control on Interstate 87 in Westport.
-
Burlington hospital makes interim chief permanent
Fletcher Allen Health Care announced today that Dr. John Brumsted will move from interim to permanent president and CEO.
-
Surplus funds keep After-School Program alive
- New Today
-
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
Smashing stereotypes and eliminating the stigma of mental-health issues has led to formation of a new place in Franklin County for clients to get wrap-around services to help them rejoin the community.
-
Recovery Center to hold open house
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Cheerleading photos (2/12/12)
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
- Recent Article Comments
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Police: Houston Found Under Water, Unconscious
Sandusky Can See Grandkids, Have Local Jury
Obama Unveils $3.8 Trillion Budget
Raw Video: Israeli Embassy Car Attacked
Coroner: Don't Know Houston's Cause of Death Yet
Valentine Greetings Sent Worldwide From Loveland
Greek Austerity Measures Spark Riots
Raw Video: Obama Budget Goes to Capitol Hill
Arab League Wants U.N. Help in Syria
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
