29 October 2012 Last updated at 06:57 ET

Uclan students urged to get vaccinated amid mumps outbreak

Students are at a higher risk as most are too old to have had the MMR vaccination

Students at a Lancashire university are being urged to get vaccinated against mumps after the number of suspected cases there rose to 27.

There have been seven confirmed cases of the virus at the University of Central Lancashire (Uclan) in Preston.

Uclan said students were at a higher risk as most were too old to have had the two MMR vaccinations needed for full protection.

It has urged concerned students to contact their GPs about vaccination.

Coughs and sneezes

Mumps is a viral illness marked by symptoms of swelling of the saliva gland, fever, headache, general malaise, muscle pain and loss of appetite.

It is an infectious illness that is spread by coughs and sneezes and its complications can result in male infertility, meningitis and deafness.

A spokesman for the university said: "To date we have seven confirmed cases of students who have been diagnosed with mumps - this is from the 27 suspected cases which have been reported.

"All students are recovering well without serious complications.

"The most effective thing people can do to protect themselves is to ensure that they are fully vaccinated."

As well as contacting their GPs, students could also visit the university medical centre for advice, the spokesman added.

An outbreak of mumps was also reported at Uclan last May, when 47 students were affected by the virus.