Fall 2026 MUMPS OUTBREAK INFORMATION
Sept. 30, 2026 Update:
San Diego County Public Health Services (PHS) has reported additional cases. This brings the total number to 14 confirmed cases, and one probable. The outbreak remains within a single athletic team, and one associated case. This timely update was shared with SDSU students, faculty and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and can be viewed here.
Sept. 18, 2026 Update:
On Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, San Diego State University notified our campus community of three confirmed cases and two probable cases of mumps. All five student cases are connected and within a student athletic team. Importantly, the student-athletes are no longer considered contagious. SDSU Student Health Services is working closely with our health partners at San Diego County Public Health Services (PHS) as part of our response efforts.
PHS Hosted Clinics
Out of an abundance of caution, PHS is hosting clinics to both screen for mumps symptoms and also provide a measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination booster to students who have been identified as a close contact of one of the cases. These clinics are only open to SDSU students who have been identified as a potential close contact. Additional details on the clinics will be shared directly with those individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to the CDC, close contact includes direct exposure to saliva or respiratory droplets, such as through kissing, sharing drinks or being coughed or sneezed on. It may also include being in very close proximity to someone with mumps for a prolonged period while that person is contagious. Respiratory droplets generally travel three feet or less.
Simply being in the same classroom does not automatically mean someone is considered a close contact. Public health officials evaluate factors including proximity, duration and the type of interaction. SDSU is directly notifying individuals identified as potential close contacts and providing them with specific health guidance.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a mumps outbreak is defined as three or more cases linked by time and place. Public health officials, which in this case is the San Diego County Public Health Department, confirmed the outbreak at SDSU. Additional information is detailed on the CDC’s mumps outbreak site.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mumps typically starts with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Most people will experience swelling of their salivary glands within 48 hours. This is what causes the puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw typically seen with mumps.
Mumps typically resolve within a few weeks. However, the contagious period extends for five days following the onset of swelling.
Individuals identified as potential close contacts through contact tracing efforts are being contacted directly. Anyone who develops symptoms should stay home, avoid close contact with others and call a health care provider.
The most effective way to prevent mumps is through the required two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Information about the vaccine is available on the CDC site. As a preventive measure, if you have not received two doses of MMR, please give strong consideration to getting vaccinated. In addition to vaccination, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when feeling ill, not sharing food or drinks, and practicing good hand hygiene can help to prevent the spread of disease.
Students should contact Student Health Services at 619-594-4325. Faculty and staff should contact their medical provider. Additional university support services are available.
Yes, in early 2020, SDSU experienced a Mumps outbreak within our student population. At that time, as is the case with the current fall 2026 outbreak, the university worked closely with our health partners at PHS.