The Monroe County Health Department is working to notify all close contacts of the 17 known cases of mumps on the IU Bloomington campus.
Health administrator Penny Caudill says those people are most at risk for acquiring the virus.
"When we have a case we're going to interview them where first we are concentrating on the close contacts, who is most at risk," Caudill says. "That is about interviewing people, getting all the details, looking at whatever the infection is."
Caudill says the best way to avoid getting mumps is to make sure you are vaccinated and that your vaccinations are current.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the MMR vaccine can protect against mumps, measles and rubella.
Caudill says high-risk individuals are being offered a third MMR dosage, in addition to the two standard doses most people receive during their early childhood.
Caudill urges high-risk individuals to contact their health care provider if they experience any symptoms, such as fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite or swollen salivary glands.