Health Officials Probe Case Of Suspected Mumps

The Ministry of Health confirmed this evening [Dec 19] that the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit are investigating a report of a person suspected of having mumps.

A spokesperson said, “Until confirmation of the diagnosis is made, precautions must be taken to prevent possible transmission of the illness to others. Close contacts of the person are being informed and advised.

“Mumps is caused by the mumps virus, but can be prevented through vaccination, or a previous mumps infection.

“Please be alert to symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite, followed by swelling of salivary glands [located in the area between the neck and jaw, below the ears]. If you notice such symptoms, please exclude your child from school or camp and yourself from work and contact your physician.

“The MMR [measles, mumps, and rubella] vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps. The Ministry of Health recommends that parents check their child’s immunization record to see if he or she has had the mumps or MMR [Measles, Mumps and Rubella] vaccine. The MMR vaccine should be routinely given when children are 15 months old, and a second dose should be given when they are 4 years old. Teenagers and adults should have received two doses of MMR vaccine.

“If you, or your child, have not been vaccinated against mumps [MMR vaccine] contact your physician or visit the Child Health Immunization Clinic located at the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street, Hamilton, to have yourselves immunized as soon as possible. Clinic hours are Mondays-Fridays 8:30 to 11:30 am, closed on public holidays.

“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. Items used by an infected person, such as cups or soft drink cans, can also be contaminated with the virus, which may spread to others if those items are shared. In addition, the virus may spread when someone with mumps touches items or surfaces without washing their hands and someone else touches the same surface then touches their mouth or nose.

“As such, practices such as hand washing, covering your cough and sneezes and cleaning frequently touched surfaces can help in preventing transmission.”

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit at 278-6503.

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