Students hit by mumps virus

So far 13 students are suspected to have contracted the disease, although medical experts are still awaiting the result of tests conducted on the patients' saliva before confirming the outbreak.

A spokesman for the college said the sick students had been diagnosed with mumps by their own GPs and that the diagnosis had so far only been based on physical symptoms such as swelling in the glands, fever and loss of appetite.

A national report from the Health Protection Agency was released yesterday saying that cases of mumps had increased tenfold. There have been 4,891 cases reported within the first four weeks of the year across the country compared with 467 one year ago.

Mumps is not a killer in itself but can lead to far more serious complications such as swelling of the brain and even meningitis.

Students worried about the disease are being offered saliva tests and two mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) inoculation clinics have been held with two more scheduled for later in the month.

The college spokesman said those most susceptible were those aged between 19 and 25 who only received one dose of the MMR vaccine before it was recognised in 1992 that two doses are needed.

All students have been given leaflets informing them about the virus, which is spread by coughing and sneezing. Students who are suspected of having the virus are being sent home to minimise the risk of others catching it.

Anthony Burns, 21, a sports studies student at UCW, said he had mumps over the Christmas holiday and his girlfriend, also a UCW student, has caught the virus.

He said: "I caught it off my twin brother who is at university in Northampton."

Fellow student Ben Morris, 20, had mumps when he was younger so said he was not worried about catching the virus. "Some of my friends are worried about catching it," he added.

College nurse Sally Arnott said the students at most risk were those who had never had mumps before and had not had an MMR booster.