AT PRESENT THERE ARE NO CASES OF MUMPS IN THE MEMPHIS AREA. HOWEVER, IOWA AND MANY MIDWESTERN STATES ARE EXPERIENCING A MUMPS EPIDEMIC

A Mumps outbreak that began in Iowa last December and spread to other Midwest states is the largest outbreak in almost two decades. This year Illinois has reported 598 cases of Mumps, a large jump from the previous average of ten cases a year. Wheaton College and Southern Illinois University have added to the case load in Illinois.

According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, as of 4/17/06, 815 cases of probable or confirmed cases of mumps have been reported. This number has greatly increased over the last two weeks. About 19% of these cases in the state of Iowa are college students and most have one or two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccines.

The CDC has confirmed that the Iowa mumps virus strain is a type that is not uncommon in the world, and is similar to the strain present in the 2004-05 mumps outbreak in the United Kingdom . The strain is covered by the MMR vaccine given in the U.S. It is unclear why individuals with documented immunity are becoming ill with the mumps. We know that the mumps vaccine is 95% effective, so it could be that the mumps cases are in those individuals where the vaccine did not produce the expected immunity.

Mumps is a contagious viral illness , spread by "droplet" contact with infectious respiratory secretions. It can be more serious in adults. The symptoms of mumps are swelling and discomfort in the jaw area, on one or both sides. Fever, headache and body aches are sometimes present. Mumps often starts with cold symptoms. Mumps is most contagious 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms, and for 5 days after onset of parotid (jaw) swelling. The incubation period (time after exposure when symptoms could develop if the person is susceptible) is usually 16-18 days, but cases can occur from 12-25 days after exposure.

There is no specific treatment for mumps. Antibiotics are not prescribed since it's a viral illness.

TO AVOID SPREADING DISEASE, REMEMBER TO WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN OR USE HAND SANITIZER. AVOID SHARING DRINKING GLASSES OR EATING UTENSILS. COVER YOUR COUGHS AND SNEEZES.

If you notice symptoms listed above, swelling in your jaw / cheek / neck area, OR if you experience ANY symptoms after a known exposure to someone who has the mumps:

•  ISOLATE YOURSELF ! Limit your exposure to others until you speak with a health care provider.

•  Call Student Health Services at 678-2287 and come to see a health care provider. It is VERY important that we evaluate you and do the appropriate testing. When you call tell the receptionist you have mumps symptoms. They will tell you to put on a mask when you arrive in the Health Center ; the masks are available at SHS.

• If you are symptomatic, regardless of testing done, we will ask that you stay home from work and class and to limit close contact with others for 5 days after the symptoms start. This is the time when the illness is most contagious. Wear your mask around others at all times. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE THAT WILL HELP LIMIT THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS TO OTHERS.

  If you have any question or concerns about the MUMPS, please give us a call at 678-2287. We are here to answer your questions and give you information.  

  A good resource on mumps and other infectious diseases is the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_mumps.htm and the Iowa Department of Public Health website: Iowa Department of Public Health FAQs on Mumps

Student Health Services highly recommends that ALL University of Memphis students have two MMR immunizations on or following their 1 st birthday.