4/10/14 Mumps identified in Holmes County

  • By Nick Sabo
  • April 10, 2014
  • 373
                        
SUMMARY: Vaccination, keeping infected persons from spreading the disease best protection Holmes County health officials have identified a case of mumps in the county, with a second suspected case identified. While nowhere near the recent epidemic that began on the Ohio State university campus that has led to at least 111 confirmed cases, the county’s low vaccination rate makes a similar outbreak possible, Holmes County Health Commissioner Dr. D.J. McFadden said. “If it gets into our unvaccinated population, it could spread very quickly,” McFadden said. “This is a very terrifying condition, where someone who was fine one day is suddenly suffering from a very serious illness the next.” The two cases in Holmes County were both adults who were vaccinated for mumps. Both have recovered without serious side effects, McFadden said. The mumps vaccine, MMR, is usually administered at 12 months and again at 5 to 6 years of age. The first dose is 80 percent effective, McFadden said, and the second dose 90 percent effective. There is no known treatment for mumps. The best protection is vaccination and keeping infected persons from spreading the disease. Vaccination is recommended for persons who did not receive the vaccine at 12 months or were vaccinated but did not get boosters at age 5 and 6. It is not currently recommended that adults get vaccinated for mumps. Anyone who has had mumps should have a natural immunity, McFadden said. Mumps is spread by droplets of saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat of an infected person, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. While 20 to 40 percent of mumps infections are unrecognized due to lack of salivary gland swelling, there are some typical symptoms.  Symptoms include fever, body aches, headaches and swelling of the salivary glands under the ears or jaw. The most recognizable symptoms of mumps are the swelling of the salivary glands (either on one side or both sides) with a moderately elevated temperature. Among males, mumps can lead to orchitis, a testicular inflammation that causes pain, swelling, nausea, vomiting and fever. Among some women with mumps, inflammation of the ovaries or breasts can occur. Up to 15 percent of people with mumps also may suffer headaches and stiff necks. The disease can cause meningitis, encephalitis, deafness, joint pains, and pancreatitis. A case of mumps can develop whether the person has been vaccinated or not, McFadden said. Adults and children are equally susceptible to mumps, as well as its side effects. However, vaccinated individuals who do come down with mumps tend to experience less serious symptoms, McFadden said. McFadden said anyone with symptoms should stay home for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or tableware, can be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared. Most mumps transmissions likely occur before the salivary glands begin to swell and within five days after the swelling begins. Physicians should be informed of symptoms before a clinical visit. The Holmes County Health District can run tests to identify mumps, McFadden said. “If someone has the disease and is still ill, we can test them for mumps, understanding that there is no treatment we can give them,” McFadden said. “It will definitely help us have a good understanding of what is happening in our community.”


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