Delaware health officials are currently investigating a possible mumps outbreak last month after confirming three cases who apparently participated in a Hispanic dance festival called Baile Mejicano in Wilmington.
Mumps, for the uninitiated, is a viral infection that is transmitted via saliva or mucus. It is easily spread just by coughing, sneezing, or even talking. Individuals who attended the aforementioned festival are advised to set up an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible if they've contracted the disease.
Mumps Outbreaks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has seen a significant increase in the number of mumps outbreaks in the United States since 2015. One possible reason for the outbreaks, according to a study published recently by Harvard University researchers, is the waning effectiveness of the vaccine. The study recommends people to receive booster shots at the age of 18 to prevent future outbreaks.
"Vaccination is the centerpiece of current public health strategy against mumps," said Joseph Lewnard, a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard's Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics. "Knowing that protection wanes in the long term can help inform how we deploy vaccines to prevent or contain future outbreaks."
Mumps Symptoms
Mumps is a tricky disease, especially since not everyone who contracts it experiences symptoms. For those who think they might be infected, look out for warning signs such as headache, fever, loss of appetite, tiredness, and muscle ache. Typically, these symptoms are then followed by swelling of the salivary glands, which can result in swollen jaws and puffy cheeks. Other symptoms, according to the NHS, include:
• Joint pain
• Feeling sick
• Dry mouth
• Mild abdominal pain
• A high temperature (fever) of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or above
On average, the symptoms occur between 16 to 18 days after a person is infected. Aside from the MMR vaccine, which treats measles, mumps, and rubella, there is no specific cure for mumps, according to health officials. It is recommended that children between the age of 12 to 15 months receive the MMR vaccine, followed by another shot once they reach four to six years old.
Most of the infected patients recover in a matter of weeks. Even still, the disease can yield critical complications. One may experience testicle inflammation, ovary inflammation, breast tissue inflammation, and many others.
Those who think they might have mumps should stay at home to avoid infecting other people, the health officials warned.
Earlier this March, Tech Times reported another mumps incident where thousands of cheerleaders may have been exposed to the virus during an event in Dallas.
