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DATE: |
April 27, 2006 |
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TO: |
All Students, Faculty & Staff |
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FROM: |
Jenny Foss, Director, Student Health Services |
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RE: |
Mumps Outbreak |
As you may already know, the state of Iowa has been experiencing a large outbreak of mumps that began in December 2005. Cases of mumps are under investigation in several neighboring states. Although the source of the current US outbreak is unknown, the mumps viral strain has been identified as genotype G, a common genotype circulating in the United Kingdom (UK) and globally. The outbreak in the UK has been ongoing from 2004 to 2006 and has involved more than 70,000 cases, primarily among unvaccinated young adults. To date, no confirmed cases have been reported in Virginia and no deaths have been reported by the CDC.
The most common symptoms of mumps are fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and loss of appetite followed by onset of parotitis (swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears-on one or both sides). Nearly 50% of infections are associated with non-specific or primarily respiratory symptoms, with or without parotitis. Severe complications are rare. However, mumps can cause deafness, orchitis, oophoritis, or mastitis (inflammation of the testicles, ovaries, or breasts respectively), pancreatitis, meningitis/encephalitis (inflammation of brain and/or tissue covering the brain and spinal cord) and miscarriages in pregnant women. With the exception of deafness, these complications are more common among adults than children.
Transmission of mumps virus occurs by direct contact with respiratory droplets, saliva or contact with contaminated objects (e.g. toys). The incubation period is generally 16-18 days (range 12-25 days) from exposure to onset of symptoms. An infected person can spread mumps from 3 days before the onset of symptoms until 9 days after onset.
Vaccination is the cornerstone of mumps prevention. The effectiveness of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is approximately 80% after one dose and 90% after two doses. Since the vaccine is not 100% effective, some cases can occur in vaccinated persons. Individuals born before 1957 are usually considered immune. Pregnant women and individuals with an impaired immune system should not receive the MMR vaccine. It can take up to 30 days for the vaccine to become effective. See the CDC web site (http://www.cdc.gov) for more information about the Mumps outbreak and the MMR vaccine. Please also see the Mumps FAQs on this web page:
All students should check their immunization records to see that they've had 2 doses the MMR vaccine (unless born before 1957). Students with an immunization hold due to not having 2 doses of the MMR vaccine should take care of this requirement as soon as possible.
Many outpatient clinics carry the MMR vaccine, including Student Health Services, private physician offices, local health departments and military clinics. Students with immunization holds can check Leo online to see if they need to have the MMR vaccine.
