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Outbreaks of Mumps in the USA

22 May 2017

Reporting of mumps cases continues in several parts of the USA, with schools and colleges particularly affected. All health authorities are emphasizing the importance of vaccination in preventing mumps.

Texas: On 17 May 2017 Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) reported 94 mumps cases in Dallas County for this year. Seventy-two of these cases were related to an outbreak in the Cedar Hill Independent School District. Eighteen unrelated cases have been in identified in Mesquite, Dallas and DeSoto. A further 4 related cases have been identified in DeSoto.

Hawaii: On 18 May the Hawaii State Department of Health reported 5 new cases of mumps in Oahu residents with mumps bringing the case total in 2017 to 47. The latest cases include children and adults and are linked to other cases on the island. The virus continues to circulate and further cases are expected.

California: On 18 May the Orange County Health Care Agency reported 2 mumps cases unrelated to a previous outbreak at Chapman University. Orange County has seen 17 cases of mumps this year, compared to a usual annual total of fewer than 5.

New York State: On 18 May Onondaga County Health Department reported 5 cases of mumps have been diagnosed in Onondaga County in recent days. Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse metropolitan area and 4 of the cases were students at Syracuse University.

Advice for Travellers

It should be confirmed that children have received their recommended doses of  MMR at 12-13 months of age and again pre-school around 3 years 4 months.

Consider vaccinating all unimmunised adults who have not had the disease themselves, particularly if they are going to be at higher risk. Two doses of MMR vaccine, at least one month apart, are required to give adequate protection.