Officials: Temple mumps outbreak swells to 86 likely cases

PHILADELPHIA (FOX 29) - Philadelphia health officials believe 86 people have contracted mumps at Temple University.

Officials said Thursday, there are 16 confirmed cases and 70 probable cases.

The latest increase has led to a petition that calls for the school to close until the outbreak can be contained.

An online petition through change.org was signed by more than 10,000 people by Thursday afternoon. It asked the university to temporarily cancel classes while the mumps outbreak plays out.
Temple health officials have no plan to close the school.

Mumps is a viral infection that involves swelled glands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way for people to protect themselves against it.

Temple University has made some changes, and will now require enrolled students to have the MMR vaccine, which can prevent mumps.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.