There are still some cases of mumps in the area! Our disease investigators are still following up with people who have been diagnosed with mumps.
Symptoms of mumps include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite and swollen salivary glands under the jaw. If you believe you have symptoms of the mumps, please contact your healthcare provider to determine if testing is appropriate so you can avoid exposing others in the waiting rooms.
Mumps is spread by saliva or mucus droplets from an infected person to others by coughing, sneezing or talking. 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 then touches the same surface and rubs their mouth or nose.
The Iowa Department of Public Health does NOT recommend persons to receive a 3rd dose of MMR vaccine. For more information, please see the IDPH link: http://www.idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/mumps