Medical professionals confirmed 31 cases of swine flu at three Tomsk universities.
Fresh Take:
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest virus-related news at three local universities in Tomsk. According to a report by RIA Tomsk, doctors have confirmed 31 cases of mumps among students at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), Tomsk State Pedagogical University (TGPU), and Siberian State Medical University (SibGMU). Additionally, 13 students are suspected of having mumps.
Previously, it was announced that students at SibGMU switched to online learning to prevent the spread of mumps starting April 12th. TPU followed suit on April 21st, and TGPU joined them on April 24th. As of April 26th, the schools have reported 23 confirmed cases of mumps at TPU and SibGMU.
A representative from TPU's press service shared that, as of April 28th, there have been 22 confirmed cases of mumps among students with 10 already recovered. One student's diagnosis remains unconfirmed. Among the faculty, no one has been diagnosed.
A representative from TGPU's press service reported that there is one student suspected of having mumps, but no faculty members have been reported to be affected.
What's Mumps? Symptoms, Transmission, and Vaccinations
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects the salivary glands. The symptoms typically appear 2–4 weeks after exposure. Here's what you need to know:
- Early signs: Fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
- Parotitis: Swollen and painful parotid glands (under the ears), often resulting in a swollen jaw or puffy cheeks.
- Complications: Up to 31% of post-pubertal females may experience breast inflammation, while 20–30% of post-pubertal males may develop testicular inflammation, though rarely leading to sterility. Additional risks include meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, and hearing loss.
- Asymptomatic cases: About one-third of infections show no signs of salivary gland swelling.
- Transmission: Spread mainly via coughing, sneezing, or talking. Direct contact, such as sharing utensils, drinks, or surfaces contaminated with saliva, can also contribute to transmission. People are most contagious 2 days before gland swelling until 5 days after swelling begins.
- Vaccinations: The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. The recommended dosages are:
- First dose: 12–15 months old
- Second dose: 4–6 years old (or at least 4 weeks after the first dose)
Isolate infected individuals and maintain strict hygiene for prevention. Keep that in mind, and remember to see a healthcare provider if you suspect you might be sick!
- To minimize the further spread of mumps, cautionary measures, such as isolation of affected individuals and maintaining strict hygiene, are essential elements of the prophylaxis against its propagation.
- The main institutions affected by the mumps outbreak in Tomsk are Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk State Pedagogical University, and Siberian State Medical University.
- According to the latest data, there have been 40 confirmed cases of mumps among students in these universities, with 10 students already recovered, as of April 28th.
- It's crucial to seek medical advice if any signs or symptoms of mumps, such as fever, swollen parotid glands, breast inflammation, testicular inflammation, meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, or hearing loss, are observed.
- Adhering to the preventive measures proposed by science, such as vaccinations and maintaining good health and wellness, notamment mental health, will prove instrumental in the mitigation of mumps and other medical conditions.
