Cambridge students have been struck by a recent outbreak of mumps.

Several students have contracted the illness, with some being hospitalised. However, no new cases have been reported for over a week, and Colleges are monitoring the situation closely.

According to Dr Paul Hartle, Senior Tutor at St. Catherine’s College, “The University’s Advisory Group on Communicable Diseases has, since the middle of April, been receiving reports of a small number of Mumps cases in Colleges.”

He added, “Although rarely a dangerous illness, Mumps is unpleasant and it is contagious, so that sensible precautions should be taken when cases are identified.”

A theatre tour in Europe has been found to be the likely source of infection, after many of the group fell ill soon after their return. The upcoming ADC production of The Alchemist has also been cancelled after the leading man became infected whilst performing in Denmark.

A friend of some of those affected said: “First the director had it, then a couple of others, and then pretty much the whole tour was infected. Some people have had to degrade and what with it being Easter term the timing is just pretty terrible”.

The University has previously been affected by a widespread mumps infection in 2004, raising concerns that many students were not immunised properly.

Students aged between 17 and 23 were born before the infant MMR programme began, and are advised to check with their GP that they have been properly immunised.

Symptoms of mumps include difficulty swallowing due to swollen neck glands, headaches, joint pain and nausea, with severe cases possibly leading to meningitis and long-term fertility problems.

The incubation period is two to three weeks meaning that those infected can pass on the illness several days before tell-tale symptoms are obvious.

Anyone who is concerned about being infected can find basic advice on treatment at www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Mumps/Pages/Treatment.aspx.