“We have officially an outbreak of mumps in this population…it’s happening with students who are well-immunized, so it’s a breakthrough infection. So the task is to get the population to act in ways that minimizes the spread of the virus,” Paul J. Barreira, MD, director of Harvard University Health Services, told The Crimson.
Sign up for our FREE E-Weekly for more coverage like this sent to your inbox!
The Cambridge Public Health Department mandates that mumps-infected students be quarantined in a single room with an individual bathroom for five days. Since most dorm rooms share a bathroom, infected students have been moved elsewhere.
According to The Crimson, some at Harvard have wondered if adding a third booster shot to the student’s vaccination regimen would help stop the spread of the virus. Dr. Barreira, citing CDC recommendations, asserted that a third booster shot would not help improve immunity.
Last week, officials confirmed that six students had been infected with the mumps. That total has not changed, according to The Crimson.
More articles on infection control:
Scientists prove the more frequently bacteria receive antibiotics, the more they survive
Uptick in flu cases causes Chicago hospitals to restrict visitors
Researchers identify protein UTI bacteria use to stay put
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
