Facial inflation: Brasenose hit by mumps outbreak

Brasenose students are at risk from a mumps outbreak.

Students fell ill with the virus last week, just as summer exams began, as the kissing disease began to spread.

A university nurse sent a message to all undergraduates last Thursday warning about mumps – a highly infectious virus that causes painfully inflamed glands and swelling.

Some insiders claim that over 30 have been affected – out of a student body at Brasenose of just over 200.

But despite the outbreak the Junior College Room still held a boozy ‘bop’ – a party at the hall for around 100 students on Saturday.

College Entertainment officer Liam Langley sent an email to all the students reminding them about the party. His email was sent just two days after College Nurse Kate Tempest warned students about the outbreak.

Liam’s email read: “Hey everyone. Just a reminder that despite the mumps situation the arts week bop will still be taking place tonight [Saturday].

“The theme is literary characters and as usual proceedings will start dtb [down the bar] before moving over to the new Babylove, the castle tavern, at around 11.

“It promises to be a great end to arts week and I hope to see you all there!”

One third-year English student, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous.

“We got an email from the college nurse telling everyone to be wary of mumps and then two days later we had a massive party.

“This place is like a ghost town – so many people have either gone home because they don’t want to get sick, or are lying in bed ill.

“This is exam season – these are the most important exams of my life, so I really don’t want to get ill.

“It’s so irresponsible for the JCR not to cancel the bop on Saturday night. I didn’t go but I know quite a few people that went and have now come down with mumps.

“There are about 200 people at the college and I reckon at least 30 are already ill. It’s a crisis – if any final year students get ill now, they may have to wait a year to take their final exams.

“I don’t want to have to do that – we should have a quarantine, rather than more parties.”

Prime Minister David Cameron is just one of many famous former Brasenose students who also  include Monty Python comedian Michael Palin and Olympic rower Andrew Lindsay.

Cases of mumps have also been confirmed in St Hilda’s and Corpus Christi colleges.

In an email to Corpus students, the Welfare Dean Judith Maltby wrote: “It has been brought to our attention that there are several cases of mumps within the University and there have been two confirmed cases within Corpus.

“If it is confirmed that you have the virus you will be encouraged to go home (where possible) for five days.”

Oxford University were unable to confirm the number of students affected by mumps.

A spokesperson added: “In any such case the network of college nurses and doctors will work in partnership with the local Health Protection Agency to take all the appropriate measures.

“Any student who suspects they might have mumps-like symptoms should stay in their room or at home and phone their college doctor, nurse or GP for advice.”