Cleveland County Public Health Center Confirms First Case of Mumps in County since 2011
On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, the Cleveland County Public Health Center received confirmation of a case of mumps in Cleveland County. This is the first confirmed case of mumps in Cleveland County since 2011. The Cleveland County Public Health Center is working closely with the individual and family to monitor for additional cases through the end of April 2019. As a preventive and protective measure, the Cleveland County Public Health Center encourages you to ensure that you and your children are current on the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
What is mumps?
Mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus. Mumps symptoms include swollen glands under the ears or jaw, fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Some people do not have any symptoms. Others may feel sick but will not have swollen glands.
How does mumps spread?
Mumps is spread through respiratory droplets (created when you cough and sneeze) and saliva. Sharing cups and utensils may also spread the virus. The time from being infected with the virus to developing symptoms can be as long as 25 days, but is typically 14-18 days. People with mumps are infectious two days before to five days after the onset of swollen glands. Infected people without symptoms of mumps may still be able to transmit the virus.
MMR Vaccine
The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against the mumps. Children usually receive the first mumps, measles, and rubella vaccine (MMR) at 12-15 months of age and the second dose at four to six years of age. MMR vaccine is not recommended for children under one year old. Adults who have not had two doses of MMR vaccine can receive the vaccine. However, pregnant women or people that are immunocompromised should not receive the MMR vaccine. If you are unsure of your/your child’s vaccination status or if your child has not received the vaccine or has only received one dose, consult your healthcare provider.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even though the MMR vaccine has drastically reduced mumps cases, outbreaks still occur. Outbreaks have most commonly occurred among groups of people who have prolonged, close contact, such as sharing water bottles or cups, kissing, practicing sports together, or living in close quarters with a person who has mumps. Some vaccinated people may still get mumps if they are exposed to the virus. However, disease symptoms are milder in vaccinated people. From January 1 to February 28, 2019, 30 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S. reported mumps infections in 151 people to CDC. According to the NC Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Disease Branch, there were a total of 12 cases of mumps (three confirmed and nine probable) in NC in 2018.
If you or your child experience mumps' symptoms, please do not go to work, school, or to public places. Contact your doctor’s office before going to the clinic. Tell them you or your child may have mumps. They may give you special instructions to help prevent spreading mumps to other people.
For questions or additional information on mumps or the MMR vaccine, please contact the Cleveland County Public Health Center at 980-484-5100.