Possible Mumps Exposure at Berkeley High, Principal Says

The Berkeley High community was alerted to a potential mumps exposure on campus earlier this month.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Berkeley High School principal Juan Raygoza and City of Berkeley Public Health Officer Noemi Doohan sent an email to the community alerting them that people on campus may have been exposed to mumps on February 2. Mumps is a contagious viral disease that can lead to complications like hearing loss, meningitis, and swollen testicles. The city's health department is investigating the possible exposure.

Why it matters

Mumps cases have remained low in recent years, with under 700 reported nationwide between 2020-2025. However, this alert comes amid rising vaccine misinformation and declining vaccination rates, which have contributed to increases in vaccine-preventable diseases like measles. Maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial for community immunity and preventing outbreaks.

The details

Symptoms of mumps typically start with a few days of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by salivary gland swelling. The disease spreads through droplets of saliva and mucus. While most cases are mild, it can sometimes lead to serious complications. The Berkeley Unified School District says the information in the principal's email reflects all the details they have regarding the reported case.

  • On February 2, the potential mumps exposure occurred at Berkeley High School.

The players

Juan Raygoza

The principal of Berkeley High School.

Noemi Doohan

The City of Berkeley Public Health Officer.

Nick Koovshinoff

The district nurse for Berkeley Unified School District.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The city's health department is investigating the possible exposure.

The takeaway

This mumps alert highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, especially as vaccine misinformation continues to spread. Ensuring students are up-to-date on their immunizations is crucial for community immunity.