HEALTH officials are trying to contain an outbreak of mumps among Oxford’s student population.

Forty-one Students from Oxford University and four from Oxford Brookes have contracted the virus since February 27.

Each case has been reported to the Health Protection Agency and all of the students have been sent home to recover.

University staff are working with the NHS to try to halt the spread of the illness, which can cause deafness and meningitis in extreme cases.

Students have also been urged to see their GP and have a second dose of the MMR vaccine to ensure they are protected.

Consultant Noel McCarthy, from communicable disease control at the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit, said: “We are advising students to be aware of the symptoms of mumps. Should they become symptomatic they should see their GP and avoid social contact for five days after the onset of the symptoms.

“All students are being encouraged to ensure good hand hygiene and tissue etiquette to avoid spread.”

He added: “It is particularly important that all students ensure that they have had two doses of MMR vaccine to protect themselves and their fellow students.”

Oxford University spokesman Jonathan Wood said: “There have been 41 cases of mumps reported in the past several weeks. The students have all been sent home to recover. The university, in partnership with the local health agency, is working with all college doctors, nurses and administrators to ensure that the best advice and information is provided to students, including the signs and symptoms to look out for.

“The university is advising any students who suspect they might have mumps-like symptoms to stay in their room or at home, and phone their college doctor, nurse or GP for advice.”

Children are vaccinated against mumps when they have the MMR vaccine, although adults need another dose to make sure it is effective.

The introduction of the vaccine in 1988 helped halt a three yearly cycle of mumps epidemics.

Keith Cooper, head of student services at Oxford Brookes, said: “Following the rise in mumps cases throughout Oxfordshire, we have seen a small number of cases reported among students over the past two weeks.

“We have been issuing information to students via the Intranet over the past couple of weeks.

“All our incoming first year students are alerted to the risk of mumps cases in their age group and offered vaccinations at specially arranged clinics during enrolment week in September.”

HOW TO SPOT IT

MUMPS is an acute viral illness which is transmitted through coughs, sneezes and saliva.

Symptoms include painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries, swollen glands below the ears and difficulty swallowing.

It usually takes between 16 and 18 days for the symptoms to develop, and people are infectious between two days before and four days after the start of symptoms.

Mumps is normally a mild illness, but in a minority of cases there can be severe complications.