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Dakota State University Responds to South Dakota’s First Mumps Case

 The South Dakota Department of Health recently confirmed the first case of mumps in South Dakota since 1991.  The case was reported on Friday, April 21, 2006 and it was confirmed to be a Dakota State University student.  The student was quarantined immediately in an effort to prevent any further spread of the virus.  Additionally, the campus responded swiftly by offering a vaccination clinic specifically for students and a second vaccination clinic specifically for faculty and staff within the initial few days of notification.  Both vaccination clinics were held in cooperation with Lake County Public Health.  DSU students, faculty, and staff were notified immediately on April 21 upon receiving word of the confirmed case.  Additionally, campus members have been kept up-to-date with additional emails highlighting new developments and encouraging continued use of health precautions and monitoring of any possible symptoms.  

According to Steve Shirley, DSU vice president for student affairs, the university has been in very close contact with the South Dakota Department of Health, the South Dakota Board of Regents, Interlakes Medical Center, and the Lake County Public Health Office in an effort to be proactive and aggressively respond to this situation. 

Mumps is a viral infection spread through saliva and respiratory droplets.  Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use good respiratory hygiene and cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing; wash hands frequently; not to share eating utensils or drinking beverages; and stay home if sick.  Due to the close living arrangements, these precautions are even more important for students in the Residence Halls.  Common mumps symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite followed by onset of parotitis (swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears-on one or both sides).