Mumps continues to be found in Winneshiek County

Winneshiek County continues to find positive cases of the mumps. The most recent cases came after college students returned home from campus for the summer, ending a period of no mumps cases.

Mumps is a serious viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands in the face. Other symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and loss of appetite. Without the recommended vaccinations for mumps, which also covers measles and rubella, the disease can be life-threatening.

Mumps is most often spread by coming into contact with the saliva or mucus droplets of an infected person. Good hand washing can significantly decrease the spread of this disease.

If you believe you have symptoms of the mumps, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms are clear, avoid exposing others in medical office waiting rooms.