Multi-State Mumps Outbreak Update

As you may know, the state of Iowa has been experiencing a large outbreak of mumps that began in December 2005.  To date, over 1,000 cases have been identified.  As part of their outbreak investigation, the Iowa Department of Public Health identified two persons diagnosed with mumps who were potentially infectious during airline travel between March 26, 2006, and April 2, 2006.  Of the passengers who were notified of possible exposure to mumps, five were Virginia residents.  All of the Virginia passengers are healthy and are being followed for 25 days following exposure.

Additional suspected cases are currently being investigated in Virginia.  Thus far, none have been directly linked to any Iowa case, although two did travel to Iowa .

The mumps vaccine is about 95% effective in persons having received two doses of vaccine.  About 70% of cases in Iowa are among people who have been vaccinated.  This is expected when dealing with a vaccine that is 95% effective in a population that is 98% vaccinated for a contagious disease like mumps.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the mumps vaccine is working as expected.

Mumps is a viral infection of the salivary glands that can spread by sharing drinking glasses, kissing, sneezing and coughing. Symptoms including swelling of the glands close to the jaw, fever, headache and muscle ache.  For most, mumps is a mild to moderate disease. There is a risk of severe complications, so the mumps outbreak needs to be addressed.

 The highest number of Iowa mumps cases are occurring in young adults, 18 through 25 years of age, many of whom are college students or living in college towns.  We realize that the end of the academic year is rapidly approaching, but since colleges are a major part of the Iowa outbreak, now is a good time to ensure that students currently enrolled or who will be enrolling in your institution in the fall are immunized according to the current American College Health Association guidelines.  This includes requiring two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine.

 If you suspect a case of mumps in a student or employee at your institution, please notify your local health department immediately or call the Division of Immunization at 1-800-568-1929.