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Winneshiek County Health Department warns of mumps outbreak in Northwest Iowa

Posted: Wed, May 5, 2010 3:59 PM

The Winneshiek County Public Health Department and the Iowa Department of Public Health are alerting the public about an outbreak of eight mumps cases in Sioux County.

Mumps is a highly contagious disease that is typically preventable through vaccination.  Health officials are recommending that all Iowans, especially those who may have been exposed to mumps in April in Northwest Iowa, should check to be sure they have received two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine.  If they need to be immunized, they should see their personal healthcare provider.

Identified exposure locations in northwest Iowa include: April 12th through May 5th at Dordt College in Sioux Center; April 22nd at the Spirit Lake vs. Hull-Western Christian soccer game in Hull; April 23rd at the Hull-Western Christian Prom; April 24th at a student dance at Dugout/Events Center in Granville; April 25th at Covenant Christian Reformed Church worship service in Sioux Center; April 25th at Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church worship service in Sheldon; April 26th at the Hull-Western Christian School; April 27th at Sweet 16 Lanes in Le Mars; April 27th at Sibley Ocheyden School; April 29th at Tofer's Bar in Sioux Center; April 29th at a root beer kegger at South View Apartments in Sioux Center; May 2nd at Emmanuel Christian Reformed Church worship services in Sheldon; May 3rd at Hull-Western Christian vs. Spencer soccer game in Spencer.

Health officials are cautioning that receiving the mumps vaccine after you have been exposed may not stop you from getting mumps. IDPH is concerned that mumps exposure may continue, especially in northwest Iowa; as a result, IDPH recommends everyone have two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) unless they know they had mumps in the past (most people born before 1957 had mumps as children).

Mumps is spread through the air and by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose, or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. The virus can be spread through shared use of drinks or cups. In addition, the virus may spread when someone with mumps touches an item or surface without washing their hands and someone else touches the same surface and rubs their mouth or nose. If you were exposed to mumps, you could become ill 12 to 25 days later.

Symptoms of mumps include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite and swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on one or both sides of the face.  If you develop these symptoms, stay home.  Do not go to work or school until five days after symptoms have started, or until symptoms go away � whichever is later. Contact your health care provider before seeking medical care so as not to expose others to mumps in the waiting room.

For more information about mumps, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/adper/mumps.asp or www.cdc.gov/mumps/index.html.