San Diego State Football Faces Mumps Outbreak Ahead of Pac-12 Opener

San Diego State’s football team is dealing with a mumps outbreak while preparing for Saturday’s Pac-12 opener against Texas State. The health situation comes as the Aztecs also manage a lengthy availability report.

A university bulletin sent to San Diego State students Wednesday said San Diego County Public Health Services had confirmed 14 cases. According to that bulletin, the outbreak remained within a single athletic team.

San Diego State has not publicly identified the team affected by the outbreak. The San Diego Union-Tribune previously reported that the football team was the team involved.

The Aztecs released their initial availability report Wednesday, and it included nearly three dozen players. Of that group, 17 players were listed as doubtful or out for Saturday’s game against Texas State.

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Nine players were listed as unavailable to play Saturday. That group includes running back Lucky Sutton, who has a high ankle sprain, and guard Michael Leville Watkins.

Eight other players were listed as doubtful. Backup running back Javion Kinnard is among them after hurting his knee during last week’s 41-16 loss at Toledo.

San Diego State coach Sean Lewis addressed the team’s injury situation while speaking with reporters Wednesday. “The football gods have not really favored us with the injury luck,” Lewis said.

Lewis also spoke about the need for other players to respond when called upon. “Guys have got to be ready to step into the light when the time comes,” he said.

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The coach described the situation facing his team as a storm it must navigate. “But this too shall pass, and we’ve got to be able to see our way through it.”

Earlier this week, Lewis declined to name the players connected to the mumps outbreak. He cited federal privacy laws when declining to identify them.

San Diego State had confirmed three cases of mumps and two probable cases on Sept. 18. All five students were connected to a single team, and the university said those players were no longer contagious.

Wednesday’s university email came from Dr. T. Ghosh, medical director of San Diego State Student Health Services. It said that “because mumps symptoms can develop 12 to 25 days after exposure, these new cases reflect spread within the team and potential exposure to additional close contacts. The university continues to take a number of daily actions.”

The message also outlined symptoms commonly associated with mumps. It said the illness is best known for causing puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.

Other symptoms listed in the email included fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite. Pain or tenderness near the ears or jaw was also included among the symptoms.

The email said mumps can cause more serious complications in rare cases. Those complications can include inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, brain and surrounding tissues, ears, breasts and pancreas.

Ghosh encouraged students not to share drinks, food, or smoking or vaping devices. Students were also advised to cover coughs and sneezes, wash their hands frequently, clean touched surfaces and remain home when sick.

San Diego State is also offering students a free MMR booster as the university continues responding to the confirmed cases and potential exposure among additional close contacts.

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