CDC struggles with outbreaks of mumps across nation
Washington state hit particularly hard
Hundreds of cases of mumps have been reported across the country since the start of 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of March 4, the CDC had received reports of 1,242 cases of mumps. The contagious viral infection can cause swollen salivary glands and flu-like symptoms.
In Washington state, a dozen University of Washington students, all connected to sororities or fraternities, contracted the illness, KING-TV reported. This year, there have been 563 confirmed or probable cases statewide, up from 154 last year, according to the Washington State Health Department.
In Tulsa, officials investigated five confirmed cases of mumps in the area, KFOR-TV reported. In Illinois, the Lake County Health Department announced it would partner with Barrington School District 220 to hold a vaccination clinic after four cases of confirmed mumps were reported and 35 probable cases identified.
Though cases of the mumps fluctuate each year from a few hundred to a few thousand, the high number so early in 2017 has some health officials concerned.
“We always get concerned any time that we have any type of outbreak, especially with a vaccinepreventable illness like mumps,” said Camille Sabella, director of Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Pediatric Infectious Diseases.
Typically, children are given two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella), which is the best protection against mumps. Sabella said the virus is typically spread quickly among students, particularly those in tight quarters who may spread the virus through saliva or coughing. Though the vaccine is not 100% effective, two dosages typically gives enough protection to prevent mumps, Sabella said, adding it’s not too late for those who received only one dose or none to get the vaccine.
Many of the 2017 cases are from outbreaks continuing from 2016. Last year 5,311 cases were reported to the CDC, the highest number in a decade, said Ian Branam, a spokesman for the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.