Mumps outbreak sends Dal students to rooms

Dalhousie University is grappling with an outbreak of the mumps that has swept eight students in residence into voluntary isolation.

"These kids are sick so they don't mind being isolated in their rooms," Jim Vibert, a university spokesman, said Friday.

"Fortunately, all of our residence rooms are equipped with internet and computers and cable TV, so they are relatively comfortable."

The isolation strategy worked last year during another mumps outbreak,Vibert added.

Twoof the students voluntarily confined to their rooms are confirmed cases of mumps, whilethe other six are suspected cases.

Two other sick students have left the university to stay with their families.

Mumps is an infectious disease easily spread through close contact with an infected person, bysneezing, kissing or even breathing. Symptoms include fever, aches and pains, and swollen or tender salivary glands.

Most cases in Halifax area

Serious cases are rare, but they can lead toinflammation ofthe brain, meningitis, arthritis and deafness. Women infected with mumps while pregnant are at a greater risk of miscarriage.

There are now 75 confirmed cases of the mumps in Nova Scotia, most in the Halifax area.

Normally, there would be just one or two cases, said Dr. Shelly Sarwal, medical officer of health.

She said most of those infected are in their early 20s and likely only got one dose of the mumps vaccine as children.

"People who are younger have had two doses [and] people who are older, at least 35 or 40, were around when mumps were more common or have been exposed in some way," Sarwal said.

The rising number of mumps cases has provincial health officials considering whether young adults should be vaccinated.