Mumps postpones men's basketball games

James Madison University has postponed its home basketball game against UNCW on Thursday, Feb. 8, and its away game against Elon on Saturday, Feb. 10.  The games are being postponed due to confirmed cases of mumps affecting the team and due to concerns for potential exposure to opposing players.

Within the JMU coaching staff, there is one confirmed case of mumps and one probable case in an individual who has since recovered. Two other individuals have been identified as suspected cases of mumps with no confirmed diagnosis at this time. At this point, there is one possible case affecting a student-athlete.  Confirmatory testing has been initiated.  As a precaution, all student-athletes and associated personnel related to both men’s and women’s JMU basketball programs have received MMR booster injections.  There are no suspected cases among the general student population. 

JMU Athletics continues to work closely with health officials regarding best practices for treatment and limiting exposure.  The department is working closely with the Colonial Athletic Association and all upcoming basketball opponents to make appropriate precautionary decisions regarding contests in the near future. Rescheduled dates for the two postponed games will be communicated as more information is available.

Mumps is a mild to moderate contagious viral illness that is spread by close, usually face-to-face, contact with an infectious individual, through coughing, sneezing or contact with saliva of an infected person (sharing cups, utensils, etc.). Mumps is usually self-limited, with symptoms appearing 12 to 25 days after exposure. Symptoms include body aches, fever and swollen or tender salivary glands.

The vaccine is very effective, but up to 10 percent of people who receive two doses of vaccine still remain susceptible to infection with mumps.  If a vaccinated individual gets mumps, it is expected that they will usually have illness that is less severe and symptoms will likely be of shorter duration.

Treatment for mumps involves isolating infected individuals for five days from the onset of salivary gland swelling and treating symptoms as needed.  If someone with, or suspecting they have, mumps seeks medical attention, they should call their doctor in advance to avoid the waiting room so as not to infect other patients.

Best practices for mumps prevention include:

• Wash hands well and often with soap;
• Don't share eating utensils or beverage containers;
• Surfaces that are frequently touched (doorknobs, tables, counters, etc.) should also be regularly cleaned with soap and water or with cleaning wipes;
• Limit your contact with people who have known mumps symptoms.

More information is available at the CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov/mumps.

[UPDATED 2/6/18 @ 4:50 p.m. to include information about confirmed mumps cases.]