Texas Sets 22 Year Mumps Record

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is investigating multiple outbreaks of mumps throughout the state.

The recent resurgence of the mumps virus has resulted in Texas experiencing the highest incidence of mumps in 22 years. DSHS has reported 221 cases of mumps during 2017.

As of March 25 2017, 42 states and the District of Columbia, have reported 1,965 mumps infections to the CDC.

Additionally, as of April 11, 2017, DSHS has been notified of 13 mumps cases in travelers to South Padre Island between March 8 and March 22 from six states.

DSHS continues to investigate mumps cases related to an outbreak centered in Johnson County, TX. Officials have identified 186 cases in this outbreak. Most of the people involved are students.

In Texas, a diagnosis or suspicion of mumps is required to be reported within one work day to the DSHS. In 2015, 20 cases of mumps were reported in Texas. Most cases occurred in adults with an unknown vaccination history.

The DSHS suggests anyone suspected of having mumps should to stay home from work, school, daycare, and any public outings until five days have passed since symptom onset. Household and close contacts of suspected mumps cases should be advised to watch for signs and symptoms of mumps for up to 25 days after last exposure.

According to the Centers of Disease and Control (CDC), complications or other presentations are rare and usually mild but include deafness, pancreatitis, oophoritis, meningitis, and encephalitis.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), people who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of immunity against mumps, should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine.

Mumps is a contagious disease that is caused by a virus.

Most people with mumps will have swelling of their salivary glands, which causes the puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw. Other symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Mumps can be prevented with vaccination.

The first vaccine against mumps was licensed in the United States in 1967. By 2005, mumps rates declined by more than 99% thanks to high two-dose vaccination coverage among children.

According to the CDC, the mumps vaccine (usually administered in measles-mumps-rubella [MMR] or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella [MMRV]) is the best way to prevent mumps.

Merck is the manufacturer of the mumps vaccination. MMR and ProQuad both contain the protection for mumps, as well as protection for measles, rubella. Additionally, ProQuad protects against varicella.

CDC recommends that children routinely receive get two doses of MMR vaccine:

• the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age
• the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age

Children can receive the second dose earlier as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Students at post-high school educational institutions, such as college, trade schools, and training programs, who do not have evidence of immunity(protection) against mumps need two doses of MMR vaccine, separated by at least 28 days.

People who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of immunity against mumps should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

The CDC Vaccine Price Lists posted on this website provides private sector vaccine prices for general information.

No conflicts of interest were disclosed by these health officials.