UPDATE: An LSU spokesperson said Thursday that 16 cases of mumps have now been confirmed on and around campus.

The handful of new cases were all said to be off campus. All 16 people infected reportedly had the mumps vaccine before contracting the illness.

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BATON ROUGE - An email alert sent out to LSU students Wednesday says there are now 12 confirmed cases of mumps.

That number is up from nine cases about a week ago. The week before that, five students were diagnosed with the illness. The first cases were of students who live off campus, LSU said. 

The university is now offering free doses of the MMR vaccine to any student who falls under a "high-risk" group.

Those groups include:

-Students who have not received two doses of the MMR vaccine in their lifetime

-Students who have had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with mumps; direct contact is defined as physical contact with infectious secretions

-Other high-risk groups identified for this cluster of cases:

           -Members of the LSU Tennis Team

           -Members of all LSU fraternities and sororities

           -Members of the Tiger Band

Those in the above groups can receive their vaccine at the Student Health Center all this week, now through Friday, from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Any students who may be experiencing symptoms of mumps are urged to call the Student Health Center or their private healthcare provider as soon as possible. 

LSU spokesman, Ernie Ballard said that the 12 people with mumps received two MMR vaccinations and were in compliance with vaccination requirements