Three cases of mumps have been linked to the University of New Hampshire, and health officials are reminding residents to take precautions, especially those with a connection to the Durham campus.
Mumps can spread easily, especially among college-age students. There has been an increase in mumps cases nationally.
The New Hampshire Health Department is recommending two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine for all school-age children. A second dose is recommended for students in college settings who haven't yet received two doses.
Mumps is an acute viral infection of the salivary glands. Symptoms include swelling and tenderness of the cheeks, usually preceded by fever, headache and muscle aches. Transmission occurs through sneezing, coughing, contact with saliva, or with surfaces that have become contaminated with the mumps virus.